As I have showen in my previous postings, there are some differences in the system itself, the kind of political debate people engage in, and the social consequence of participation in the military service between Taiwan and South Korea. There are two specific points that I found very interesting in comparing the two societies. One is the difference in the perception of equality of the conscription policy. As mentioned in the previous postings, although scandals and corruption cases regarding the military service are often reported by media in both Taiwan and South Korea, it seems that more Koreans think that the current system is very equal and fair than Taiwanese. According to a survey conducted by Culture University (文化大學新聞系) in April 2001 at 11 Taiwanese universities, 76.4% of the respondents felt the physical examination conducted before the military service was unfair (中央日報 民國９０年７月８日). The result of my interviews with university professors and students in Taiwan also correspond with this survey data. In contrast, although there is no survey data available, in my interviews in Seoul, most of the people, including professors and some radical anti-conscription students, think that the method of the physical examination and assignment of military service is pretty fair and equal. Further research on this difference in the perception of equality is necessary, as well as research on the extent to which the state (or other actors) can affect people’s perception of the system.The other point is the difference in the kind of issue that is under hot debate in the two societies when people discuss the conscription policy. In Taiwan, the central issue is about an efficient use of military power from a strategic point of view. When authors compare the current system with an all-voluntary system, they discuss political, economic and social consequences, but their conclusion always comes down to the debate of which system is more efficient as a national military. In South Korea, the central issue is more ideological and sociological. One of the major opinions that support the conscription system uses the argument that “youngsters become real men only through the experience of the military service.” (This logic appears in conversations among the Taiwanese, but Koreans use it much more frequently, and take it much more seriously.) Others emphasize the importance of gaining pride in and love for the nation. In fact, some specialists point out that the ROK military needs a smaller number of professionalized soldiers rather than a big number of conscripts in order to efficiently protect the country. (to be continued)
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Fascinating. What you discovered goes along with what I know of Taiwan from my experience there and the image I have of Korea. I knew a Taiwanese who was a computer programmer, and was able to use his skills to do the “optional service” conscription. He was able to go to work and have a girlfriend as easily as anyone else working a regular job might. In fact, this led to an embarassing situation where I asked him if he had already “當兵” and he had to remind me that he had already told me he is in the middle of it.
Regarding the survery done by 文化大學, I think it would be interesting to compare the results of that to a survey of less-educated non-elites and see how they feel about the conscription service. It wouldn’t be surprising at all to find out that educated people are more resistant to the idea of forced conscription.
I also find interesting the concept that mandatory military service helps build a love of country. Many of the young Taiwanese I have met have uncertain and ambigious feelings towards Taiwan as a nation, whereas Korea is sometimes infamous for extreme love of country. It seems to me it’s not necessarily the case that people are supporting forced conscription for the purpose of increasing patriotic feelings, but rather might be supporting forced conscription as a result of their patriotic feelings.