8 in 10 draft dodgers violating travel rules go unpunished
More than 8 in 10 South Koreans who remained overseas to dodge military service have gone unpunished over the past five years, data showed Saturday. Under South Korean law, all able-bodied men are required to serve at least 18 months in the military to help counter threats from North Korea. Draft evasion carries up to five years in prison, but men who remain abroad effectively freeze their…
Over 85 percent of South Koreans who evaded military service by staying abroad have evaded punishment over the past five years, according to data released on Saturday. Under Korean law, all physically capable men must complete at least 18 months of military duty to aid in defense against North Korea. Draft dodging can result in up to five years of imprisonment.
However, individuals who remain outside the country have their criminal cases effectively halted due to the statute of limitations pausing while they are overseas, allowing them to avoid prosecution until they reach the age of 38 when mandatory service ends.
The data, obtained by Representative Min Hong-chul of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea from the Military Manpower Administration, comes at a time when South Korea is grappling with a shortage of military personnel due to its declining population. The information revealed that out of 929 individuals who violated travel rules related to military service between 2021 and 2025, 794 investigations or prosecutions were suspended.
This accounted for 85.5 percent of all cases over the five-year period. The significance of this finding grows as the country's armed forces struggle to meet manpower demands.
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- 8 in 10 draft dodgers violating travel rules go unpunished koreatimes.co.kr
