<P> Conscription in South Korea has existed since 1957 and requires male citizens between the ages of 18 and 35 to perform about two years of compulsory military service . Women are not required to perform military service, but may voluntarily enlist . </P> <P> The basis for military conscription in South Korea is the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, which was promulgated on July 17, 1948 . The constitution states in Article 39, "All citizens shall have the duty of national defense under the conditions as prescribed by Act ." The Military Service Act of 1949, which was implemented in 1957, specified that compulsory military service is required for men ages 18 or older . Conscription is managed by the Military Manpower Administration, which was created in 1948 . </P> <P> By law, when a Korean man turns 18 years old, he is enlisted for "first citizen service," meaning he is liable for military duty, but is not yet required to serve . When he turns 19 years old (or, in some instances, 20 years old), he is required to undergo a physical exam to determine whether he is suitable for military service . The table below shows the physical exam's possible grades and their outcomes, according to the Military Service Act . Men must enlist by the time they turn 28 (Korean age). </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Grade </Th> <Th> Description </Th> <Th> Outcome </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1, 2, 3 </Td> <Td> "Those whose physical and psychological constitution is healthy enough to perform active in army ." </Td> <Td> "To be enlisted for active duty service, supplemental service or the second citizen service, based on their qualifications, such as educational background and age ." </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> "Those whose physical and psychological constitution is not so healthy for active training but capable of doing supplemental service for civillians as replacements ." </Td> <Td> "To be enlisted for supplemental service or the second citizen service, based on their qualifications, such as educational background and age ." </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 5 </Td> <Td> "Those incapable of entering active or supplemental service, but capable of entering the second citizen service ." </Td> <Td> "To be enlisted for the second citizen service ." </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 6 </Td> <Td> "Those incapable of performing military service due to any disease or mental or physical incompetence ." </Td> <Td> "To be exempted from military service ." </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 7 </Td> <Td> "Those unable to be graded...due to any disease or mental or physical incompetence ." </Td> <Td> "To undergo a follow - up physical examination" within two years . </Td> </Tr> </Table>

How old do you have to be to enlist in the army in korea