On August 15, Korea’s Liberation Day, 56 middle school students shouted out their resolve in front of Seongbuk District Office, before going off to a two-day military experience program in an army base in Gangwon Province. These youngsters were about to learn what it is like to be in the military. Here’s the team’s leader and Korea’s renowned mountaineer Um Hong-gil to tell us more about the event.

These students will learn how important one’s motherland is and how to love one’s country. They will spend time in a military base to understand military culture and learn new things. We are going to the frontline, where it borders North Korea. Seeing how South and North Koreas are divided will prompt these youngsters to talk about the future of our nation, boost their security awareness, and work toward reunification. This military camp program was designed to enhance their love for their country.

A conscription system is instituted for the Korean military. The division of the two Koreas, which are still technically at war, imposes all Korean men with the duty to defend the nation, as dictated by Article 39 of the Korean Constitution. Stories from their days in the military often fill the conversations of men no matter how old they get. But in recent years even women, who are not mandated to serve in the military, have gotten interested in army life, and an increasing number of teenagers are signing up for mock military programs. It appears the majority of Koreans, even women and youths, are eager to try out military life.

The unexpectedly surging popularity of military experience can be in part attributed to various TV shows featuring the military. Sitcoms and reality shows based on military life have it hit it big, offering a new look at formerly dreaded military services. People often thought that life in the military would be strict, rigid, and scary, but it turned out to be more inspiring and humane than anyone had imagined. It is a chance for both men and women to overcome their limitations, build character, and make lifelong friends. Here’s cultural critic Kim Gap-su to tell us more.

Military used to be a dreaded or, to most women, uninteresting topic. But now people can’t stop talking about it. People used to think of military as an intimidating place, something to be avoided, but now military culture has become trendy and those who fulfill their military duty are seen with admiration and respect. Today’s military experience programs are individualized and specialized to give individual participants something they can never forget. The duality of military life, its rigor and subsequent sense of accomplishment, is what makes the whole experience so much more interesting.

More and more women and ethnic Koreans are volunteering for the military service. In seven years more than 1,000 Koreans with permanent residency in foreign countries have chosen to enlist in the Korean military. The number of servicewomen now stands at nearly 8,500, and 6% of all commissioned officers are women. The competition to enter the military is stiff among women. Only one out of every 30 female applicants gets to enter one of the three major military academies in Korea. What makes military so attractive to them? There is no place like the military to build character. Here’s cultural critic Kim Gap-su again.

The image we have of a soldier is akin to that of an American cowboy – macho and strong. Today’s young people tend to be flexible and creative, but when seen from a slightly different point of view, they appear weak and unruly. The traditional image of masculinity has eroded considerably in recent years, but not in the military. The very best features of masculinity are highlighted in the armed forces.

Extreme training makes the body strong and, once the training is successfully completed, confidence is boosted. Deep camaraderie built during this process is also a wonderful byproduct.

Human bond is a highly regarded human value in the west. That bond comes so naturally in Korean society that it was not a topic worth emphasizing. But that bond exists mostly among family members and very seldom among total strangers. But in the military strangers must cooperate and come together to carry out an order and accomplish a mission. The top-down command structure is the backbone of military culture, but camaraderie or bond among soldiers is just as important to maintaining a military unit. The idea of self-preservation doesn’t do anyone any good in the military. Rather, soldiers tend to voluntarily pick up the slack and have each other’s back. Military life naturally makes people think in this collective-oriented way.

The appeals of military life – its tough image and emphasis on fellowship – tempt those who haven’t experienced it to actually undergo the mock programs and prompt those who already experienced it reminisce and boast about it. Perhaps this is why the military look is a steady seller in fashion and the stores that sell military equipment are seeing more customers.

While military paraphernalia bring back memories for men, women see them as tools to simulate what a culture could not join.

There are now a few TV shows based on military life. After watching those shows, I bought a couple of military style shirts and a canteen so that I can make noodles in it. When I watch those shows I think about my days in the military, cooking ramen in the canteen or crawling under the barbed wires. I don’t want to go through that again, but it does bring back memories. I feel more unrestrained when I dress up in a military look. I don’t have to follow any protocol and it’s really comfortable.

The 56 middle school students taking part in the military experience program arrived at an army base located in Inje County, Gangwon Province. A military marching band greeted the young students with a rousing performance. Here’s Sohn Young-hee, official with Seoul’s Seongbuk District Office of Education in charge of secondary education support, to explain why this program was designed for 14-year-olds.

This program is carried out jointly with the Um Hong-gil Human Foundation, Gangbuk District Office, and Seongbuk District Office of Education to instill a challenging spirit in young students. In addition to the military experience program, there are several other programs such as mountain climbing, commando training, and rafting. Young students learn about patriotism through this program. They realize that they must value something beyond their own well-being. This military experience program was designed to inspire the adolescents to love their school and their country, and feel a sense of belonging.



The youths appeared to have high hopes for the two-day military camp.

- It’s going to be fun. If they can do it, we can do it too. I’m going to do my best.
- I’m excited, but at the same time at a loss for what to do. I’m going to become a real man after completing this program.
- I’m going to come out of this military camp alive.

These students were used to their parents’ cuddling and teachers’ protective guidance. But this two-day camp was going to be totally different from what they were used to. They must follow strict rules and live together with others. They were going to become real soldiers. The first step in their transformation was security training. Here’s Master Sergeant Choi Mun-shin.

This form in front of you is an agreement that you will follow the security regulations of this base. There is going to be no photo-taking, no talking about what you saw and experienced in the base, and no online postings. This is what military security is all about. Keeping these things confidential is one way to keep Korea secure. Write down your name and birth date on the form.

Just signing the form seemed to have intimidated the students. They appeared to have just realized that this experience was going to be no joke. Soon they were led to their barracks, something they’d seen only on TV.

They were shown how to organize their stuff and what their schedules were going to be. Then they chose their unit leader.

After they unpacked and changed into their military uniforms, they no longer looked like 14-year-olds, but like real soldiers.

It was time for lunch and the students lined up to get their meals.

After they sit down for lunch, they do something they had never done at school lunch. They gave a prayer of thanks.

Their first meal was military-style hamburger. The combination of buns, a beef patty, salad, and sauce may seem strange to some, but it’s one of those nostalgic flavors that former servicemen and women can never forget, even after they are discharged. The burger also delighted the young students, who probably never had anything like this before. After the meal they cleaned up after themselves.

Some of the students had washed dishes before, but they probably had never been subjected to inspection. All these rules and unaccustomed routines make the students appreciate their parents and homes.

- I realized how hard my mom worked as I did the chores here.
- My mom must have had a hard time. I felt bad that I didn’t help her out at home.

The students then headed to an underground tunnel dug by North Koreans.

They were amazed to see how endless the tunnel seemed. It was scary to think that North Koreans dug this in secret. The students sure realized how important it was to defend the country against enemy infiltrations.

- It was scary how the North Korean soldiers dug this tunnel. Our troops were really dependable and they did a great job discovering the tunnel.
- I shudder every time I see this. The very fact that North Korea tried to invade the South is chilling enough. I’m always grateful to our troops. Visiting the tunnel made me realize how threatening North Korea is and how important our country is.
- It’s shocking how the North Koreans talks about peace and then build a tunnel like this. I thank South Korean service people for defending our country.

Through this military experience program, the students learned to love their country and families. Although the Korean military is enjoying very positive publicity at the moment, thanks to several hot TV shows, total immersion programs like the one these students took part help Korea’s young people appreciate the motherland and their families even more. Army Corporal Jo Hyeok-jun tells us more.

Ordinary civilians don’t get that many chances to experience the military life, but they are likely to have a deeper understanding of the military through various TV shows. Discipline defines military culture. Regular exercise, disciplined lifestyle, and commitment to national security are important parts of living the military life. This program is going to be an unforgettable experience for the girls and a preview for their future for the boys.

Military used to be identified with strenuous work. But today’s soldiers enjoy a more pleasant and comfortable living environment, while building strong friendship and camaraderie as before. It is a place to test one’s limits and overcome one’s shortcomings, making military service something worth experiencing. So more and more people now want to wear the uniforms and eat military foods to find and change themselves. Perhaps this is why the military experience programs are growing popular among civilians.