JHJ’s life in the army
wulijohyunjae | May 30, 2009 | 6:00 am
We have received permission from the Official JHJ Fan Club to relay news from their May Vol.1 magazine to our readers here, provided that we “change the words.” Since we have changed the language, we reckon we are obeying instructions. We have not translated the words, just the general meaning, and we have added information from Wikipedia (to fill our readers in on some background.)
The Republic of Korea army is by far the largest of the military branches of the South Korean armed forces, with 522,000 members as of 2008. (One of these is our own JHJ!) The size is maintained through conscription. South Korean men must complete 24* months of military service between high school graduation and the age of 35, provided they pass a stringent medical check. (*Only 22 months for JHJ — date of discharge from army: 6/19/10.) This is in response to the heavy North Korean presence, with its 1 million strong army, two-thirds of which is permanently garrisoned in the frontline near the DMZ (demilitarized zone.)
These two pages show the life of Jo Hyun-Jae in the army. The map shows the location where JHJ is serving — Pocheon military base. After 5 weeks of basic military training, JHJ was assigned to the Ammunition Depot (under Army Logistics Command) as a “dog soldier”, working with military dogs. (Please see our May 27 post: “JHJ’s army dog”.) The two photos of JHJ in uniform on the top page are released soon after JHJ joined the army and show him with his fellow trainees. The small photo at bottom right is taken on the day he enlisted — August 5, 2008, as are the three photos on the bottom page.
A day in the life of a Korean soldier
06:00 Get up, toilet, change into uniform
06:30 Roll call on field, morning exercise
07:30 Breakfast, clean up dishes
09:00 Military exercises before lunch begin
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Military exercises after lunch begin
17:00 End of exercises
18:00 Dinner
19:00 Free time (for bath,etc.)
20:00 Clean up, briefing by superior officers
20:30 Free time
21:30 Roll call
22:00 Bedtime
(Winter: get up 30 minutes later.)
The boots on the bottom right of the bottom page have an interesting “legend”. (Please see our April 16 posting: “Farewell to JHJ: Seeing him off to join the army (Part 2)”) We were told by a Chinese-Korean that Korean women often leave their men when they join the army. Perhaps a two-year separation is too much for some relationships. The army boots are a reminder that their men are serving their country, and the women have to wait for their return.
**FOR COPYRIGHT REASONS, PLEASE DO NOT REPRODUCE OR TRANSFER ANYTHING**
Life of a soldier is hard! Thanks for sharing.
I’m sorry I wrtie again.
As I think that hyunjae will spend the emergency because of relationship between south and north Korea in nowdays.
I hope and pray for peace.
North Korea is playing games again. And the top U.S. general says they can fight North Korea. Let’s hope things don’t get out of hand. I don’t want Hyun Jae to have to fight. Pray for peace on earth.
The escalating tension in the Korean Peninsula is really worrying, especially since the U.S. and South Korea raised the heightened alert level earlier this week. I’m praying for Hyun-Jae and all Koreans. May there be peace in Korea and the whole world.
Let there be peace on every nation and hoping that the conflict between North and South Korea will soon have a resolution. When I read about the uncertainties in Korea, I immediately thought of Hyunjae and his fellow comrades in the army that they may be safe and sound during this turbulent times. And I would also like to thank the "Official JHJ Fan Club" in Japan for allowing M&M to convey the nature of the article from their magazine. Really appreciate it and thanks again.
Hope it is peaceful!