Vacations for Maintaining the Right of Permanent Residence in Foreign Countries Allowed

Those who have obtained the right of permanent residence in foreign countries previously had to give up that right when they joined the army, yet from now on they can join the army and maintain their right of permanent residence through vacation time. Accordingly, the number of those who evade military service or give up their nationality is expected to decrease substantially.

“According to amendment by the Ministry of National Defense’s concerning military service, Koreans who have the right of permanent residence in foreign countries are now free to join the army when they want and also go abroad once a year during the service period in order to maintain their right of permanent residence abroad,” said Park Kyeong-kyu, an executive officer in the Military Manpower Administration (MMA) on February 19.

Those who have the right of permanent residence in foreign countries have had no choice but to give up that right because of their required two years of military service. The stay of one year in Korea invalidated their permanent residence status.

Making an allowance for a certain amount of vacation expenses including transportation expenses which are paid to soldiers, the MMA and the Ministry of National Defense are considering supporting airplane fare for soldiers who have to go abroad and come back to Korea.

Ho-Won Choi bestiger@donga.com