4 Facts about the Differences in Military Service in Israel and South Korea Lifestyle – 13 hours ago

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – A number of countries still have mandatory military or conscription policies. Usually, every citizen who meets the requirements is obliged to contribute his energy as a member of the army within a certain period of time.

In general, military conscripts must take military education within a certain period of time and some of them are prepared for war conditions.

For ordinary people, military service is synonymous with South Korea, North Korea, Russia and Singapore. However, did you know that Israel, which is currently at war with the Palestinian Islamic group, Hamas, also implements mandatory military service for its citizens?

So, what are the provisions for military service in Israel? The following is a review, along with a comparison with military service in South Korea.

1. Conditions for Military Service

In South Korea, only able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 years are required to carry out military service. In the first few weeks of military service, participants are given basic military training, such as push ups, marchingshooting, and making speeches.

Meanwhile in Israel, all citizens, both men and women aged 18 who are Jewish, Druze or Circassian, are required to participate in military service. mThey will serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

2. Exemption from military service

Quoting from the official IDF website, there are a number of exceptions for Israeli citizens not to participate in military service, including the Arab community in Israel, religious women, married individuals, and those who are not medically or mentally fit.

Meanwhile in Korea, exemptions from military service are given to Olympic and Asian Games medal winners, musicians and classical dancers who win certain competitions, that is, they may not participate or receive a reduction in their military service period.

3. Period of Military Compulsory Implementation

Photo: Jin BTS while serving in the military (Weverse Screenshot)

The South Korean government stipulates that military service is carried out for 18 to 21 months or almost two years. However, a source said that the mandatory military service period varies.

The service period for the South Korean Army and Marines is 21 months, for the Navy 23 months, and for the Air Force 24 months.

Meanwhile, inactive duty for social workers or international cooperation is 24 months, 34 months for industrial technical personnel, and 36 months for those completing assignments as doctors, lawyers, veterinarians or expert researchers.

Meanwhile, Israel requires men to serve in the military for a minimum of 32 months and women for a minimum of 24 months.

4. Sanctions for those who refuse military service

There are similarities in the sanctions imposed on those refusing military service in South Korea and Israel, namely prison sentences.

In South Korea, refusal to serve in the military can result in a prison sentence. Individuals with South Korean citizenship who refuse military service will automatically become fugitives and be sentenced to prison if caught.

Meanwhile in Israel, men and women who refuse to participate in military service are guaranteed to end up behind bars. Launching from Detik newsquite a few Israeli citizens refuse military service for medical, family and religious reasons.

An Israeli teenager, Shahar Perets, is an example of an Israeli citizen who refused military service. Reportedly, Perets was thrown into prison three times for refusing military service for ideological reasons.

“I decided to refuse entry [wajib] “military because they don’t want to be part of the oppression of millions of people living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip,” said Perets, quoted Friday (20/10/2023).

Meanwhile, the prison sentence for those refusing military service in Israel is 30 days.

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