French-Korean soldier to guard border with North Korea

Pvt. Jae-min Lebatard / Courtesy of ROK Army

By Kim Jae-won

A Korean-born soldier of French heritage will help guard South Korea’s heavily armed border with North Korea from April after he successfully applied for the tough frontline job, the Army said Monday.

Pvt. Jae-min Lebatard, 21, was born in Cheongju, North Chungcheong, to a Korean mother and French father. He grew up in the city, and joined the Army last month to meet his 21-month military service obligation.

The decision surprised his parents because he could have avoided military service by giving up his Korean citizenship. Lebatard has dual-citizenship for Korea and France. By law, Korean males are allowed to maintain such dual-citizenship only when they complete military service.

“As a son of the Republic of Korea, I think I should do my duty to defend this country,” Lebatard was quoted as saying by the Army.

The Cheongju University student, who suspended his studies to begin his military service, said he persuaded his parents to let him join the Army because he wanted to live as a “true” Korean. He applied to be a border guard because he wanted to be at the front line. Lebatard is the first border guard with a multi-ethnic background, the Army said.

The military said he will be sent to Paju, Gyeonggi Province, next month, and will guard the border in the western part of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

Lebatard’s father is an engineer, and met his mother while he was working at a company in Cheongju. He is an only child.

Lebatard said that his relatives in France objected to his plan to start military service, worrying it was too dangerous. They asked him to move to the European country.

“I told them Korea is a safe country, though it is under a truce agreement. I also said to them that I wanted to contribute to the country I live in,” he was quoted as saying by the Army.

Lebatard said he is a big fan of football and likes French midfielder Paul Pogba. He dreams to be a pilot for a Korean airline and believes his military service will help him make his dream come true.