Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Jin family challenge common belief against military life
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Jin Yong-sam
By Yi Whan-woo
Jin Jae-hun
Jin Hyung-suk
By Yi Whan-woo
Jin Yong-sam, 55, and his two sons in their 20s ― Jae-hun and Hyung-suk ― challenge a common belief that serving in the military as an enlisted soldier can be a waste of time.
The father completed his 32-month-long military duty in the 1980s in the “White Dragon” artillery battalion under the Army’s 11th Mechanized Division in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province.
According to Jin senior, his experience with the battalion was so helpful that he encouraged both his sons to apply for an Army program that assigns different generations of families to the same military unit.
“For instance, I learned leadership skills as a squad leader and also practiced frugality by saving my paychecks,” he told The Korea Times in a telephone interview, Tuesday.
The Army has been running the program since January 2006, allowing families to strengthen their relationships through shared military experience.
The eldest son, Jae-hun, 26, served at the “White Dragon” battalion’s command post from 2009 to 2011.
His younger brother, Hyung-suk, 22, is currently serving as a private at the battalion’s fire direction control team and will be discharged from his 21-month-long duty in August 2016.
According to the Army, it is the first time in its history that a father and his two sons have served in the same unit as conscripted soldiers, which has brought media spotlight on the Jin family.
Concerns over military violence that occurred last year among conscripted soldiers brought a negative light on the military.
For Jin senior, however, he believes military service can be highly beneficial for young men.
“Almost every Korean man serves in the military,” he said. “They can join the military as a soldier, non-commissioned officer, or officer. And I simply encouraged my sons to join the ‘White Dragon’ battalion as a soldier because my experience there was really precious and valuable.”
He added that he hopes his grandchildren join the “White Dragon” battalion in the future too when his sons, who are single, get married and have children.
Jin senior is self-employed and lives his with family in Yongsan, Seoul.