Comments on: Draft dodgers rush to give up citizenship

By: Kromozone

Kromozone — Fri, 13 May 2005 02:44:55 +0000

Actually I was of by 10k

By: gbnhj

gbnhj — Fri, 13 May 2005 02:37:14 +0000

It seems that the Korean military finally opens its door to mixed race

Does that mean that Koreans in general are finally going to quit abusing those who are ??¼???? More to the point: God save them in the military; in an organization where even ‘?§??§œ’ Koreans are abused, what chance would they have?

Thanks for the article, Dogbert…

By: dda

dda — Fri, 13 May 2005 02:27:05 +0000

Waidaminute… Is there any data available on how many sons of Parliament members have done their duty ?€“ or how many haven’t? I mean, it’s a recurrent issue there, right? People getting caught giving/accepting bribes for military duty exemption.

Would be fun if that Hong Joon-pyo character had a son, or nephew, or whatnot, who has been exempted…

By: ??…?????” ??°??? ???

??…?????” ??°??? ??? — Fri, 13 May 2005 02:14:02 +0000

Three reasons why military service should be banished:

1) It’s a huge drain on the economy. 2 years away from productive work and education, often smack dab in the middle of college. Imagine a Chinese language major returning to his 3rd year of university after 2 years of guard duty - he’s starting over from scratch

2) It stifles individuality. If the nail that sticks out in Korean society gets hammered back into place, the military-service hammer is nuclear-powered. The standard deviation of Korean male personalities isn’t nil by any means, but it must certainly be pinched

3) It betrays the spirit of the sacred Sunshine Policy

But unless something significant happens (ie the fall of North Korea), nothing will change the system. When backed into a wall (such as needing loans from the IMF) Korea can change DRAMATICALLY for the better (financial sector reform, lowered restrictions on foreign investment). But given a choice, Korean consensus always values conformity and ??¼?¡±??? ????¡´??? over pragmatism and economic advance.

By: Curious

Curious — Fri, 13 May 2005 02:12:34 +0000

Expats only have to report their income to the IRS if it’s above $70K? Sweet deal! Or is that only if you don’t have financial interests back in the States while abroad (as is the case for us Canuckleheads)?

By: Iceberg

Iceberg — Fri, 13 May 2005 02:10:47 +0000

?Œ€-??œ-??¼-??!!!

By: Kromozone

Kromozone — Fri, 13 May 2005 01:58:01 +0000

Wait. If they are foreign citizens they should pay -3% tax just like other foreigners, right? Unless they start making over $70k/year and then they are supposed to report their income to the IRS. That doesn’t sound so bad, does it?

By: Curious

Curious — Fri, 13 May 2005 01:47:39 +0000

I recall reading that article. It’s pretty sad.

By: Curious

Curious — Fri, 13 May 2005 01:47:04 +0000

I recall reading that article. It’s pretty sad.

By: june

june — Fri, 13 May 2005 01:41:24 +0000

Oh, men, this is not easy!

My younger brother served the military several years ago. Just before he got drafted, the notorious Kang-reung/ East Sea submarine battle (?°???‰ ??™??´ ?¶? ????????¨ ????±´) occurred and claimed dozens of young soldiers?€™ lives. My father used to believe “all proud young Korean men should serve the military for their country.” However, the death of the soldiers was a wake-up call. It was too late anyway, and my poor brother was drafted. Fortunately, he got a good position (driver) and drove fancy cars for officers and rarely trucks.

Personally, I am against draft system. Korea should think about a new military system like professional military system. As long as draft system continues, some Koreans try everything to save their sons (Korea is heavily male-preferring society too!). But it is somewhat understandable, especially after reading this piece:
http://english.chosun.com/w21d.....50039.html

It seems that the Korean military finally opens its door to mixed race, but ?€œDon?€™t ask Don?€™t tell?€? still stands?€?