<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>

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