Most Overseas Military Service Travel Violations Go Unpunished in South Korea
Government data show that investigations or prosecutions were suspended in 85.5 percent of overseas travel rule violations linked to military service between 2021 and 2025, prompting calls for tighter coordination among authorities.
More than eight in 10 South Koreans found to have violated overseas travel rules connected to mandatory military service went unpunished over the past five years, according to government data released Saturday. The finding has renewed concern about enforcement gaps as the country confronts a shrinking pool of military personnel.
Data provided by the Military Manpower Administration to ruling Democratic Party lawmaker Min Hong-chul showed that 929 people violated the relevant travel rules between 2021 and 2025. Investigations or prosecutions were suspended in 794 cases, representing 85.5 percent of the total.
South Korea requires able-bodied men to complete at least 18 months of military service. Draft evasion can be punished by up to five years in prison. However, cases involving men who remain overseas can be difficult to advance. The statute of limitations is suspended while a suspect stays abroad, and prolonged absence can delay prosecution until the person passes the age for mandatory service, which is 38.
The age distribution was heavily concentrated among people in their late 20s. Those aged 27 accounted for 502 cases, or 54 percent, while 28-year-olds represented 157 cases, or 16.9 percent. People aged 30 or older made up 121 cases. Smaller shares involved people aged 25, 26 and 29.
The United States was the most common destination, accounting for 595 people, or 64 percent of all cases. China followed with 62, Japan with 60, Canada with 45, the Philippines with 30 and Australia with 26. France and Germany each recorded 12 cases, while Britain had five.
The enforcement issue is drawing attention amid a sustained decline in military manpower. South Korea’s armed forces fell to about 450,000 personnel in 2025 from 563,000 in 2019, largely because the country’s low birth rate has reduced the number of men eligible for conscription.
Min called for stronger information sharing and follow-up coordination among the Military Manpower Administration, investigative agencies and the Foreign Ministry. He said authorities should ensure that identifying violations leads to effective investigations and confirmation that military service obligations are ultimately fulfilled.
The figures highlight the challenge of enforcing domestic conscription requirements across borders. They also raise questions about whether current procedures can prevent lengthy overseas stays from becoming a practical route around military duty at a time when the armed forces can afford fewer losses from the eligible population.