Living in the United States, joining the military is an option for both teenaged males and females. However, senior James Oh, a Korean exchange student, must join the Korean military once he returns home from the U.S.

“When I was 10, I realized that I have to join the Korean army. I learned that from elementary school and friends,” Oh said. It’s a requirement for Korean men to be in the army, but for Korean women it’s an option.

“I’m 20 [years old] in Korean age, but 18 in American age. I have to join the army between ages 18 to 28 in American age,” Oh said. According to Korean age, when a person is born, he or she is considered one year old. The Korean population adds another year onto his or her age at the New Year, not on his or her birth date.

Not only do men have to join by a certain age, but they also have to serve in the Korean military for different time spans depending on the branch of the military. In general, services in the military can last anywhere from 18 to 24 months.

“I’m thinking about joining the air force or navy, which would be for 23 to 24 months,” Oh said.

Because Korea requires men to join the military, Oh has learned from the experiences of his older brothers and cousins.  “All my brothers and cousins have already been discharged from Army services. They served with the ROTC (Reserve Officer’s Training Corps) and Army Special Warfare Command,” Oh said.

Oh’s family and friends are supportive of his enlistment in the Korean military. “My family and friends both think that I should go into the army to serve. It is one man’s basic responsibility and duty for the country,” Oh said.

While it is a requirement of all Korean men to join the army, it is possible to delay military enlistment. “It depends on what school [college level] I attend. Many Korean students join the army during college or after finishing their undergraduate studies,” Oh said. Undergraduates must join by age 24, while those earning Master’s and Doctor’s degrees must join by ages 26 to 28.

“I’m scared and excited [about joining]. In the army, there are many dangerous weapons, strict laws, and thousands of soldiers. I am still excited for learning and experiencing military knowledge from the Korean Army,” Oh said.

Stephanie Meadowcroft is a Lifestyles Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.