Korea is pushing to toughen the conscription deferment process to make it harder for those with permanent residence or permission to stay long term in foreign countries to delay their military service up to the maximum age, the state conscription service said Wednesday.

The Military Manpower Administration (MMA) said it has prepared a bill to require conscripts with permanent residence rights or long-term visas valid for over five years to stay at least three years in foreign countries to put off military duty calls until the age of 37. The current law only demands one year of overseas stay to meet the qualification.

All able-bodied Korean men between the ages of 18 and 35 must serve in the military for about two years to help deter North Korea's possible aggression.

The latest move comes after some Korean sports stars based overseas have come under fire for their attempts to use the privilege for a maximum delay of their military conscription. Among them was Park Chu-young, 27, an Arsenal striker who obtained a 10-year visa from Monaco while he was playing for AS Monaco from 2008-2011.

"We will soon submit a revision bill (to the National Assembly)," said Kim Il-saeng, the MMA chief, during a parliamentary meeting of the national defense committee.

Celebrities and sports players have frequently been caught attempting to evade the draft, fearful that their appeal or abilities would quickly wane in their peak time.

The 1950-53 Korean War ended in a cease-fire, not a peace treaty, leaving the two Koreas technically still at war. (Yonhap)