Conscription in South Korea
By law, when a Korean man turns 18 years old, he is enlisted for "first citizen service," meaning he is liable for military duty, but is not yet required to serve. When he turns 19 years old (or, in some instances, 20 years old), he is required to undergo a physical exam to determine whether he is suitable for military service. The table below shows the physical exam's possible grades and their outcomes, according to the Military Service Act. Men must enlist by the time they turn 28 (Korean age).
The length of compulsory military service in South Korea varies based on military branch. Active duty soldiers serve 21 months in the Army or Marine Corps, 23 months in the Navy, and 24 months in the Air Force. After conscripts finish their military service, they are automatically placed on the reserve roster and are obligated to attend a few days of annual military training for 6 years.
Global Overseas Adoptees' Link
G.O.A.'L successfully ran a Dual Citizenship Campaign for adoptees which became an important signal also for all other international adoptees. It is also advocating adoptees' rights within Korea. The Korean Nationality Law revision which allows Korean adoptees to obtain dual citizenship was passed by the Korean National Assembly on 22 April 2010 and officially announced on 4 May 2010. The revised law went into effect on 1 January 2011. G.O.A.'L also submitted a law revision of the Military Service Act to the Korean National Assembly in order to get Korean adoptees exempt from military service.