Young men reject exemptions to become Marines

Cho Nam-woo, left, and Kim Sang-hyun / Courtesy of ROK Marine Corps

By Jun Ji-hye

Two young men volunteered to become Marines even after they were granted exemptions from Korea’s mandatory two-year conscription.

Kim Sang-hyun, 25, and Cho Nam-woo, 24, both privates first class in the ROK Marine Corps are currently serving at the ROK Marine Second Division in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province.

The Marine Corps said it recognized the rare choice made by the two as model cases that show the willingness of young Korean men to fulfill their obligation of serving the nation at a time when many young men increasingly attempt to dodge their military duty.

Kim could have chosen to work at a defense firm as an alternative to his mandatory military service after receiving a gold medal in carpentry at the 41st WorldSkills held in London in 2011.

The WorldSkills is a biennial competition held around the world to showcase and inspire world-class excellence in craftsmanship.

The Nation’s Military Service Law stipulates that those who possess world-class skilled craftsmanship can work at a defense firm recognized by the Military Manpower Administration in lieu of military service.

But Kim disregarded such special treatment and volunteered for the Marine Corps in November.

He said he decided to become a Marine because of the North’s deadly shelling of Yeonpyeong Island in 2011, in which two soldiers and two civilians were killed and 16 soldiers injured.

“I was so impressed with braveness the Marines showed during the shelling,” Kim said. “I took the screening test for the Marine Corps three times and eventually passed it.”

Kim added that his parents have fully supported his decision.

Cho, who moved to the United States with his family in 2005, could have been exempted from military service as he was qualified to obtain U.S. citizenship. But he postponed this to join the ROK Marine Corps.

Cho said he learned his patriotism from his grandfather, Chi Kap-chong who was a war correspondent for Reuters news agency during the 1950-53 Korean War, and a lawmaker in the 1980s.

“When I visited Korea, my grandfather took me to the War Memorial and showed me how to love my country,” he said. “My blood boiled when the North attacked Yeonpyeong Island, and I decided to defend my homeland.”

The Marine Corps said the two will receive letters of commendation from the Commandant of the Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Lee Sang-hoon as well as a vacation as a reward.

Follow Jun Ji-hye on Twitter @TheKopJihye