Millions of BTS fans were upset earlier this week when it was revealed that Jin would shortly enlist in the mandatory South Korean military. Although the precise date of enrollment has not been determined, Korean media outlets predict that it will take place in the middle of December.
One of the many well-known South Korean celebrities who had to leave their rich occupations to enlist in the military is Jin. All physically capable men are required by South Korean law to serve 18 to 21 months in the military. Although the legislation contains provisions that exempt some people or permit them to serve shorter terms of service, they are at best contested and even well-known celebrities frequently aren’t able to take advantage of them. For instance, Jin was granted an exemption till the age of 30, rather than the usual maximum of 28. Korea isn’t alone, though only a small number of nations currently have mandatory military service.
The history of mandatory military service
Since ancient times, slaves have been used in almost all major civilizations as a form of involuntary or mandatory military service. Furthermore, many ancient kingdoms did not have standing armies; rather, they relied on peasant soldiers who were compelled to take up arms during battle.
Serfs were required to perform what was known as Corvée labor in the middle Ages. This was a sort of yearly tax paid by the serf to the monarch, vassal, overlord, or lord of the manor, and was most common in feudal civilizations. It was also used to enlist soldiers into the military in addition to providing labor to maintain the feudal land, finishing royal projects, and maintaining roads and other public amenities.
Modern volunteer armies, in reality, are a relatively new concept that emerged in post-Enlightenment Europe. Before the 18th and 19th centuries, mercenaries, or those who were hired to participate in a specific conflict were the most frequent volunteers in combat. Mercenaries have been around for a while, but they lacked the hierarchical command structure and organizational structure found in modern armed organizations.
Involuntary military duty is very uncommon today. Fewer than 30 nations in the globe still mandate that the entire age cohort serve their entire terms in the military, according to Statista data journalist Niall Mcarthy. Although many other nations, even those with significant military might like the United States, Russia, and China, have conscription or draught laws, these laws are either not enforced or are only intended to be used in emergency situations.
Countries with universal mandatory service
1. South and North Korea
Both of the neighbors have severe laws governing conscription. Beginning at age 17, North Korea requires men to serve for eight years and women for five years. Depending on the branch one joins, South Korea requires all men between the ages of 18 and 30 to serve between 18 and 24 months. The governments are always on alert because the two Koreas have been at war with one another since their division.
2. Israel
Israel, along with North Korea, is the only nation to have mandatory military service for both men and women. Citizens are expected to serve in the military for a period of between 24 and 48 months (nine years for pilots), after which they are placed in the reserves until the age of 41 to 51 for men and 24 for women. Israel feels all its residents while keeping a substantial standing force at all times due to the country’s history of hostilities with all of its neighbors and the comparatively tiny local population.
3. Singapore
When a male citizen turns 18, he is required to complete 24 months of National Service. Service in the police, civil defense, or armed forces constitutes national service. All employees are placed in the reserves when their service is complete until they turn 40. (50 for officers).
After the British chose to withdraw their forces from Singapore in the 1960s, the conscription program was put into effect there. National service serves as a force multiplier for tiny nations and a way to promote national consciousness and solidarity.
4. Angola
All men between the ages of 18 and 45 must serve in the military for at least 24 months. At age 18, registration is required. Conscription regulations were developed in Angola during the protracted civil conflict that raged there from 1975 to 2007. The People’s Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola (FAPLA) mostly met their manpower needs through conscription during the civil war. The FAPLA served as Angola’s formal armed forces’ forerunner.
5. Colombia
This South American nation has had mandatory conscription for men between the ages of 18 and 24 for a period of 18 months. Since the founding of the republic, there has been a requirement for required duty, with the possibility to participate in some civilian duties as well (like the penitentiary service).
However, there is a strong push to end conscription that is gaining momentum. Colombia’s senate approved a measure ending conscription in October 2022. But before this law becomes a reality, there are still a lot of measures to be taken.
6. Vietnam
All males between the ages of 18 and 25 must serve in Vietnam for a minimum of 24 to 36 months. Dodgers may be charged with crimes and subject to severe penalties. In response to the country’s protracted civil war, which had shattered Vietnamese society, mandatory service was introduced in 1975. Mandatory military service develops patriotism and combat readiness in a group of citizens who can also participate in search and rescue operations during natural disasters.
7. Finland
When a man turns 18 in Finland, he must serve 6–12 months in the military or on the border. They remain in the reserves until they turn 60 after completing their duty. Every man is required by the Finnish constitution to contribute to the nation’s defense. Conscription is an economical method of building up a sizable reserve for a nation with a small population.
8. Switzerland
All Swiss men must complete 18 weeks of military training between the ages of 18 and 30. Following training, they may be summoned back no more than six times for periods of 19 days each over the following ten years. In addition, citizens have the option of choosing civilian service. A referendum to end mandatory service was defeated in 2013 with a staggering 73% of the populace voting against it.
