Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

[WHY] Why do so many Korean men enlist during college?

Enter college, finish mandatory military service while still in school, graduate: This is a typical routine for most Korean men, who must complete 18 to 21 months of military service before the age of 30 as required by law.

2025-03-29

Seoul to investigate social service worker attendance in response to Mino controversy

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said Tuesday that the city government will investigate work attendance by conscripted social service personnel after Mino of boy band Winner was recently accused of failing to show up to work.

2024-12-24

NCT's Taeyong to start military service next month

The boy band member will begin his mandatory enlistment without fanfare on April 15.

2024-03-18

DP-led coalition excludes candidate for refusing military service

A satellite party coalition led by the liberal Democratic Party (DP) excluded a proportional candidate over his past refusal to comply with the nation’s mandatory military service.

2024-03-14

Mental disorders lead military service exemptions in Korea

Mental disorders, including depression, stand as the primary medical impediment preventing Korean men from fulfilling their mandatory military service, according to the Military Manpower Administration.

2024-02-02

BTS to get its own autobiographical comic book

BTS's story of rise to fame and enlistment will be made into a comic book in the United States, Reuters reported on Friday.

2024-01-05

Korean athletes get toughened up at Marine Corps boot camp

Hundreds of Korean athletes who will compete at the Paris Olympics next year wrapped up a three-day military “boot camp” with the Korean Marine Corps in Pohang, North Gyeongsang on Wednesday.

2023-12-21

Woodz to hold one final concert before military enlistment

Singer-songwriter Woodz will hold his final concert before beginning mandatory military service in January. The concert will be held on January 19 at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium.

2023-12-20

Jimin, Jungkook say 'goodbye' to fans before enlisting on Tuesday

BTS's Jimin and Jungkook, the band's last two members to enlist, bid farewell to fans on Monday, a day before entering military boot camps.

2023-12-12

BTS fans crowd boot camp as V and RM begin military service

Fans of K-pop band BTS gathered at the military boot camp in Nonsan, South Chungcheong, as members V and RM arrived to begin their mandatory military service.

2023-12-11