Military life without a freedom

In Korea, no one can avoid going to army except the disabled because the war between South and North Korea didn't finish, but is still going. It means that going to the army is not an option. Like most Korean men, I had to complete two years of compulsory military service. So began my military life, on January 10th, 2006.



< These pictures were taken when I was in training right after I had finished military service. >

I could expect my military life was going to be tough because lots of people always say to me, I won't endure kind of insult from senior soldiers. However, my expectation was totally wrong! Military service was tougher than I thought.At that time I, as well as in verbal abuse and profanity, was beaten by senior soldiers. Also, they forced me to start smoking. That's why I started smoking, but now, I quit. Nobody can act differently, nobody respects me as an indivisual in army.

It was certain that there was no freedom, only I had to do was following orders from senior soldiers in the army! Only then, I realized how precious freedom was in our daily life.Before I became a soldier, I didn't know the cultural difference between our daily lives and lives in army. Here is my experience.


One day, I participated in training that took 3 days to prepare for war. Although first day was not so hard, second day was different due to walking through the mountain, our destination's distance was more than 40km. Prior to departure, my seniors made their soldier's gear lighter by giving me some of their items to carry instead.





< I was a trainer in the army who taught soldiers how to fight well or how to behave during the war. >


However, I couldn't say it's unfair, for the reason that I already knew if I said sonething like this, I was supposed to be beaten or insulted. Before long, this made me tired, and I couldn't walk well because it was too heavy for me.


Furthermore, seniors walked so fast, so the gap between us started to get bigger.Then, seniors who walked in front of me came back to me and started to insult me. They said, I had to complete this training without any kind of help from others. If not, I got a punishment or discipline. After that I really tried to be fast, but I twisted my ankle. So, I thought that I couldn't afford to walk anymore.


However, it was true that I hurt my legs, seniors didn't trust me but just thought that it was fake. Even if I explained this, they started to hit me rather than helping me. They even insulted my parents. There was nothing for me to do except accepting the reality, because if I disobeyed or fought with them, I'll be put in jail, but I didn't want to go to jail in the army. A soldier who went to jail regarded as a prisoner in our society.

< After the training, I and friends of mine were so happy! Finally we did!>

In our daily lives, we have lots of options to choose something. Also, no one can ignore rights to select or make our own lives by ourselves. But, Korean army has very different culture. Korean soldiers have to follow order, not to act autonomously. A soldier is like a robot which was operated by a senior. It means that there is no freedom or autonomy in Korean army.Just compare with your daily life.


Have you ever experienced this kind of thing? Can you imagine like this life? Maybe not. Throughout this experience, I learned importance of freedom and autonomy.




< I really feel free when I look up the sky and drink a beer. These pictures symbolizes a freedom for me.>


In conclusion, I'd like to say this.
Past is history, and tomorrow is a mystery. But, today is a gift.That's whay it's called present. So, For me, today is a present when we can behave, think, feel freely!