Why do South Korean men have to go to the army?
Many people know that South Korean men must serve in the military for about one and a half years.
But few truly understand why this law exists.
The answer lies in history — in a war that technically never ended.
The Division of the Korean Peninsula
Before World War II, the entire Korean Peninsula was under Japanese colonial rule.
When Japan lost the war in 1945, it also lost control of Korea.
Suddenly, the peninsula was left without a government — a power vacuum that both the Soviet Union and the United States wanted to fill.
The Soviets entered from the north, hoping to spread their influence, while the Americans moved in from the south, determined to stop communism from expanding in Asia.
As a result, the peninsula was divided at the 38th parallel north, creating two separate governments — one communist in the North, and one democratic in the South.
The Korean War
In 1950, North Korea invaded the South, starting the Korean War.
The North was backed by the Soviet Union and China, while the South was supported by the United States and United Nations forces.
The war was brutal, killing millions and devastating the country.
After three years of fighting, both sides signed an armistice agreement in 1953.
But this was not a peace treaty — only a ceasefire.
That means, technically, North and South Korea are still at war even today.
Why Military Service Still Exists
Because the war never officially ended, South Korea has remained on constant alert for decades.
To protect the nation from any sudden attacks from the North, military service became mandatory by law.
Every healthy South Korean man must serve — not only as a duty, but as part of the country’s defense system.
Even in 2023, the armistice remains in effect, and peace has not been declared.
That’s why South Korean men still have to go to the army — because, technically, the war isn’t over yet.
For South Koreans, military service isn’t just an obligation — it’s a reminder that peace is still unfinished.
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Author: Fuji
Human history is truly complex, isn’t it?
There are countless websites introducing historical figures and events, but many of them are just plain explanations—not exactly exciting to read.
On the other hand, reading books takes a lot of time and effort.
That’s where I come in.
Through “stories that are more engaging than explanations and shorter than books,” I aim to bring the world’s history and humanity’s records to you in a more accessible and interesting way.
If my stories inspire you to love history a little more, I’d be absolutely thrilled!
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