Original post here.

If they tried to draft me here, I'd flee to Canada.
I think your commentary on Korean men is right on.

I'm in Canada, and am probably more wary of Dubya reaching north of the forty-ninth and drafting my sorry ass than Canada.

My wife is from Cyprus, where young men have to serve for two years. Her brother Costas, now twenty-nine, is still living the life of say a twenty-year-old here in Canada. He is a student in England, finishing his Phd in something, but is treated like a child by his parents. I would have thought that being in the army for two years would have "made a man out of him", whatever that means. The Greek Cypriots, so my wife told me (so it may or may not be totally accurate), have the highest number of university graduates, per capita. From my tiny view (weekly phone conversations with her folks, who still live in Nicosia, and her brother, and a three week holiday spent in Cyprus a couple Christmas's ago) a lot of what you say about Korea is true in Cyprus as well. Interesting, as both countries share similar political problems.

B-man : I'm just glad he's not called Stavros!

And thanks, Joanne. I wondered what you'd think...

...except for my cousin who went to cushy KATUSA instead of to boot camp, so he's probably still an insufferable baby.

As a recent visitor to Korea, I found your commentary quite interesting.

I sat for two days, on a Greyhound Bus driving across Canada, beside a young South Korean who had just finished his service. He told me horrific stories of his experience. However, I'm of mixed feelings as I voluntarily signed up for the Naval Reserves and while I found the experience to be trying, it was also one of the turning points of my young adult life. I am not a flag waver, but I was a better person after the difficulties I faced. Not everyone would even comtemplate my choice, and resistance would be even stronger when there is no choice in the matter of inlisting. So, I have much sympathy for the young men of Korea, and yet they are fully aware of their country's history which is wrought with occupation and threats.

I Volunteered for the US Army as a Korean citizen. If i went back to Korea they have the power to draft me into service and if there was a way for me to do both, I would. I'm not a draft dodger. My heart is in America but I'm korean by blood. Something people seem to forget is that South and North korea are technically still at war. A war today will result in hundreds and thousands of casualties. South Korea does not have the size/time to properly train men during hostilities. If a draft is called on any given day there will be a million prior service men ready and willing to protect their land.

what the hell do Canadians know about National pride?

Hi, I'm an ESL teacher, and based on my experiances with Korean students, you are entirely right. It is very easy to tell whether a young Korean man has done his service yet or not. The amount their maturity climbs actually made me think good things about the service.