Can they force me to join the South Korean Army?

Question

I was thinking about visiting South Korea and found this quote on U.S. Embassy's website

"There have been several instances in which young American men of Korean descent, who were born and lived all of their lives in the United States, arrived in the ROK for a tourist visit only to find themselves drafted into the South Korean army."

http://seoul.usembassy.gov/dual.html

Sounds like something out of a movie. Has this really ever happened to somebody?

Answer 1

The embassy site says it has happened several times, so yes, it's a possibility, but apparently rare.

Answer 2

This only applies to people with duel citizenships, thats when your a legal citezen to two countries, you were raised in america and have no hook to south korea so no, theres no way that you could be drafted into their army while visiting, it violates hundreds of laws and the press would be on it for weeks.

Answer 3

no...

Answer 4

no they cant ur an american! so no!

Answer 5

yeah there going to get your *** dont go there  

Answer 6

No but you can get knifed for 10 dollar in you wallet or die some some crazy illness from drinking the water :)

I would go to japan or somewhere else.

Answer 7

Yes! It happened to me and they feed me my own feses and rats for dinner. Please come save me!

Answer 8

It reads like only if you hold dual citizenship, but I guess it has happened, why would the US Embassy lie about it, that serves no purpose.

Call the US Embassy if you want details of when it happened, and under specific circumstances.

Answer 9

Better learn to like kim chee

Answer 10

Wow. I hope that doesnt happen thats horrible :(

Answer 11

I dont think so!

My dad goes ther very often for business

I think youll be fine

haha