By Jun Ji-hye
The number of South Koreans who have been exempted from mandatory military service by giving up their Korean citizenship jumped to a record 4,220 this year, an opposition lawmaker said Monday.
Among them, 31 were sons of high-ranking government officials, said Rep. Kim Joong-ro of the second largest opposition People's Party, citing data from the Military Manpower Administration (MMA).
From January to July, a total of 4,220 men gave up their Korean citizenship to avoid military service. The number of those who dodged enlistment by changing nationality has increased since 2012 when the number stood at 2,842.
A total of 17,229 men subject to conscription have given up their Korean citizenship over the past five years, said Kim, a former Army general.
Kim said some 90 percent of those abandoned their Korean citizenship after having lived in foreign countries for an extended period of time either to study or work. Among them, 8,747 were naturalized as U.S. citizens, while 3,077 gained Japanese citizenship and 3,007 gained Canadian citizenship.
"In most cases, they were able to stay in foreign countries for a long time to study because they were financially supported by their rich parents," Kim said. "The fact that the background of their parents has had an impact on their sons' conscription shows how unfair Korean society is."
The lawmaker called on the government to strengthen sanctions against draft dodgers and prevent them from taking improper advantage of their change of nationality.
To enhance sanctions against draft dodgers, the MMA commissioned a study earlier this year about whether the agency can levy heavier inheritance and gift taxes on those who abandoned their Korean citizenship before fulfilling their obligation to serve in the military.
Currently, those who dodge enlistment by changing citizenship can encounter disadvantages when attempting to be employed by Korean companies or obtaining business approval in Korea, in accordance with standing laws. But they are not automatically subject to higher taxation.
The MMA said a juridical review is ongoing to see if the taxation measure can be enforced.
Other measures being examined include sanctioning high-ranking government officials seeking promotions if their sons change their citizenship with the purpose of evading their required military service.
The agency is also studying a measure to restrict attempts by those seeking to obtain foreign citizenship just before their enlistment.
Singer Yoo Seung-jun, (aka Steve Yoo) who was a K-pop sensation as soon as he made his debut in 1997, became a target of criticism after becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen and renouncing his Korean citizenship shortly before his scheduled enlistment in 2002.
The number of South Koreans who have been exempted from mandatory military service by giving up their Korean citizenship jumped to a record 4,220 this year, an opposition lawmaker said Monday.
Among them, 31 were sons of high-ranking government officials, said Rep. Kim Joong-ro of the second largest opposition People's Party, citing data from the Military Manpower Administration (MMA).
From January to July, a total of 4,220 men gave up their Korean citizenship to avoid military service. The number of those who dodged enlistment by changing nationality has increased since 2012 when the number stood at 2,842.
A total of 17,229 men subject to conscription have given up their Korean citizenship over the past five years, said Kim, a former Army general.
Kim said some 90 percent of those abandoned their Korean citizenship after having lived in foreign countries for an extended period of time either to study or work. Among them, 8,747 were naturalized as U.S. citizens, while 3,077 gained Japanese citizenship and 3,007 gained Canadian citizenship.
"In most cases, they were able to stay in foreign countries for a long time to study because they were financially supported by their rich parents," Kim said. "The fact that the background of their parents has had an impact on their sons' conscription shows how unfair Korean society is."
The lawmaker called on the government to strengthen sanctions against draft dodgers and prevent them from taking improper advantage of their change of nationality.
To enhance sanctions against draft dodgers, the MMA commissioned a study earlier this year about whether the agency can levy heavier inheritance and gift taxes on those who abandoned their Korean citizenship before fulfilling their obligation to serve in the military.
Currently, those who dodge enlistment by changing citizenship can encounter disadvantages when attempting to be employed by Korean companies or obtaining business approval in Korea, in accordance with standing laws. But they are not automatically subject to higher taxation.
The MMA said a juridical review is ongoing to see if the taxation measure can be enforced.
Other measures being examined include sanctioning high-ranking government officials seeking promotions if their sons change their citizenship with the purpose of evading their required military service.
The agency is also studying a measure to restrict attempts by those seeking to obtain foreign citizenship just before their enlistment.
Singer Yoo Seung-jun, (aka Steve Yoo) who was a K-pop sensation as soon as he made his debut in 1997, became a target of criticism after becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen and renouncing his Korean citizenship shortly before his scheduled enlistment in 2002.
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