The following article was published in the Korean newspaper Joong Ang Daily on June 3, 2010.  We have translated from their Chinese version on http://cn.joins.com/big5.  The statistics are quite startling (to us, anyway) and are provided here for your information.  100,000 Korean won = US$84 (approx. – at today’s exchange rate.)   You can do the math yourself.

Although it is normal to spend within your income, it seems this is not the case with Korean soldiers.  They spend more than they earn.  They have to pay for even the caps they wear.

According to “Statistical Office and Civil Service pay provisions” released on June 2, the monthly salaries for Korean soldiers this year are: Sergeant – 97,500 won, Corporal – 88,000 won, Private First Class – 79,500 won, Private Second Class – 73,500 won.  From 2000 to 2003 soldiers’ salaries were upgraded to “civil servants improved” level, and then were raised again to protect the military under the long-term plan of minimum cost of living.  The improvement rate in 2004 was 47%. After that, a significant upgrade of 30% in 2005, 40% in 2006, 23% in 2007, and so on.

But compared to salaries, soldiers are spending more.  According to Defense Department statistics, a soldier’s average monthly expenditure amounts to 110,998 won.  The Air Force’s expenses rank among the highest - up to 124,017 won, the Navy – 120,223, the Army – 106,801 won, the Marine Corps – 100,815 won.  From the point of rank, Sergeant spends most – up to 126,097 won, Corporal – 125,214 won, Private First Class – 104,403 won, Private Second Class – 84,478 won.

From the point of use, going out on leave costs 43,762 won, snacks – 19,351 won, daily necessities – 6,658 won, laundry – 2,890 won, training fees – 2,111 won.

(Credit: http://cn.joins.com/big5; JHJ cartoon from www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)

This is a Korean video (probably released by the military) and the commentary and subtitles are in Japanese.  You either watch it like a silent movie or you’ll have to trust our interpretation (educated guess.)

This video is the final segment of the 3-video series on the Korean soldier.  (First 2 videos are in 2010.4.8 post “The Korean soldier (1)”.)  It starts with new recruits graduating after the 5 weeks of basic military training.  The graduation ceremony in the hall is formal and solemn.  They salute, and salute again.  They sing the national anthem of South Korea.  They get their stripes (ONE stripe for Private Second Class.)  They throw their caps in the air (just like university graduates at outdoor ceremonies.)

Those new PSC interviewed all say it is blood, sweat, and tears.  Training is very hard – great physical exertion and mental strain.  One mentions the blisters on his feet after trekking in those army boots and how his superior tends to them.  Another talks about the night trek which is an unforgettable experience.  But they all say it is worth it as they learn responsibility and duty to their country.

The next day they are sent off to different camps all over the country.  The real tests and trials are yet to come.  The final scenes show part of the training regimen.  Fighting!

This video gives you an idea of what Jo Hyun-Jae has gone through.  You can visualize him among the graduating class of PSC on September 10, 2008.  Did you notice the soldiers only have one rucksack when they are sent off to their respective camps?  Where does JHJ keep his fan mail?

When we were in Busan recently, we saw some soldiers on leave.  First thing we looked at was: how many stripes on his uniform’s sleeve?  We now know: ONE stripe = Private Second Class; TWO stripes = Private First Class; THREE stripes = Corporal; FOUR stripes = Sergeant.  Our JHJ is 4 stripes!

(Credit: http://club.brokore.com/sodonyo; www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)

 Although they do not say so, these videos on the Korean soldier must have been released by the Korean military.  This version comes to us from a Japanese source as the commentary and subtitles are in Japanese.  You don’t really have to understand Korean or Japanese to get the drift of the contents.

The first video starts by stating military service in Korea is mandatory.  Every able-bodied man who enlists must undergo 5 weeks of basic military training which is very tough and strict. 

The young recruits are shown saying goodbye to their families and girlfriends.  At the initiation ceremony (with the families watching), there are lots of crying and hugging.  Then the families leave and the young recruits are on their own. 

Still in civilian clothes, they are starting their military service there and then.  They collect their military uniforms and put them on, with a senior soldier demonstrating how to do so.  Each soldier has a locker (very small) and the “bed” is right underneath the locker.  The sleeping conditions are cramped (to say the least) but tidy.  The life of discipline has begun.

One young soldier says this is the first time he has left home and he is feeling uneasy.  He and the others will have to get used to this unit which is going to be their home for the next 5 weeks.

The second video shows the basic military training the Korean soldiers undergo during the first 5 weeks of their military service.  They include: 1) marching; 2) guerilla training; 3) field combat; 4) TNT (grenades/explosives); 5) chemical warfare.

Those interviewed all say the training helps build up self-confidence and maturity.  We are in awe when we imagine Jo Hyun-Jae going through all these from August 5 – September 9, 2008 (5 weeks.)  No wonder he now looks more manly and even macho.

5 weeks of basic military training in unavoidable.  We now understand why so many Korean actors/singers opt to be entertainment soldiers.  Two more years of this requires true grit and sheer endurance.  JHJ chooses to serve as an ordinary soldier for his entire military service.  JHJ, we are so proud of you!

(Credit: usabell of http://club.brokore.com/sodonyo; www.johyunjae.com.  Thanks!

2010.03.01  13:09  by 쪽​빛​마​음 (Translated from the original Korean)

I can only express my agitated feelings this way…..
My eyes are blurred, filled with tears.

Jo Hyun-Jae has finally been promoted to Sergeant! 

On that hot and humid day on August 5, 2008, JHJ entered the army as an actor, coupled with the fact that he was older than most recruits – factors that he expressed concerns about.

Watching him, I felt very complicated emotions, but there was nothing I could do. 

And yet…..photos released during initial training with his fellow soldiers showed a radiant and smiling JHJ.  Also occasional news of him in the army revealed bits and pieces of his life in the military.  

Everything seemed normal – the boys were getting on very well together.  That’s the answer – good! – a load was taken off my mind.

Actually we will never know how much difficulties he encountered.  But at least on the surface he seemed to be doing well, so my worries were unfounded.

And then to become an army dog soldier – he chose the path “not well-travelled”.

Even though he is an actor, he did not opt to be an entertainment soldier. 

This young artist not only possesses a sincere face but also an inner resolve and integrity. 

I will continue to support him – that’s my decision. 

Since he is not an entertainment soldier, he almost disappeared from the radar.  There has hardly been any news of him.  Waiting is tedious and boring, and nothing can be done.

Time passes…..and now he is Sergeant.

Another 110 days to go…..

All the good times he spent with his juniors, all the unforgettable and beautiful memories…..

Please take good care of your physical health as well as your mental health.

Once more…..

Salute!  Sergeant Jo Hyun-Jae!  Take care!  Let us continue to wait wholeheartedly! 

(Credit: http://blog.naver.com; hyunjaelove.jp; johyunjae.hk.  Based on the Chinese translation on johyunjae.hk.  We thank the creator of the video and Ahiru and Ranta for the photos.  Thanks!)

Their message reads (translated from Chinese):

Jo Hyun-Jae, congratulations on your promotion to Sergeant!

During the remainder of your military service, please take good care of yourself. 

We are all waiting for you.

By now you can recognize the national anthem of the Republic of Korea, can’t you?  (Hearing it twice within the space of a few minutes. )

(Credit: KK of johyunjae.hk. Thanks!)

2010.03.01 03:05 by: 조공축복해요 whose message reads in part (translated from Korean):

Salute!  Congratulations to Sergeant Jo Hyun-Jae!
Sergeant Jo Hyun-Jae of the Republic of Korea…….
We are very proud of you.  And very thankful for your patience.
Sergeant Jo Hyun-Jae is super-perfect.
Wishing you all the best for the remainder of your military service.
Keep it up!  And keep smiling!

(The video is set to the national anthem of the Republic of Korea.)

(Credit: http://cafe.daum.net/hyunjaelove; everjohyunjae.co.kr; blog.naver.com; johyunjae.hk. Thanks!)

Jo Hyun-Jae has been promoted to Sergeant (from March 1.)  This is his third promotion since enlisting in the Korean army on August 5, 2008.

JHJ is one of the very few Korean actors/singers who opts to be a regular soldier all through his two-year tour of duty.

We are proud of you, Sergeant Jo!  Heartiest congratulations!

Our congratulatory card reads:

Success is working hard,
living right,
dreaming big,
and being the best we can be.

(a quote from A. Tennille), and on the inside:

You deserve congratulations for everything you’ve done.
You deserve the best for being who you are.

The above MV is CarpeDiemJAPAN’s tribute to Jo Hyun-Jae on the occasion of his promotion to Sergeant as well as a Valentine Day gift.

(First photo shows JHJ at press conference of “G.P.506″ in March 2008.  Other photos from EVERjohyunjae.co.kr and www.johyunjae.hk.  Video courtesy of CarpeDiemJAPAN.  Thanks!)

Founded in 1996, Arirang is an international TV network based in Seoul, operated by The Korea International Broadcasting Foundation.  As Korea’s premier English-language channel, Arirang TV airs news, cultural programmes, educational shows, documentaries, entertainment shows and more 24 hours a day, in more than 188 countries.

Some of the network’s most popular and longest-running shows include Arirang News, Showbiz Extra, Pops in Seoul, and Heart to Heart.  This video of Jo Hyun-Jae’s military life is featured in “Showbix Extra” in a segment called “Showbiz Runway” on January 26, 2010.

The running commentary is a little grating to my ears — first, because the commentator’s English often puts the emphasis on the wrong words, and second, because of the following:

1. JHJ looking “rather handsome” as a soldier — has anyone ever seen a handsomer Korean soldier?

2. JHJ will be promoted to “surgeon” in March — yes, he did say “surgeon”, but of course we know he meant “sergeant”.

3. “Next year he shall be done with his service” — NOT next year, young man!  THIS YEAR — June 19, 2010!  2 years are already long enough!

Still, it’s not everyday that anyone gets featured on Arirang, so we’re grateful they did this little piece on JHJ.

(Credit: www.arirang.co.kr; www.johyunjae.hk.  Thanks!)

Glowing?  Glittering?  Shiny?  Glossy?  Sparkling?  Gleaming?  Shimmering?  Dazzling?  Take your pick.  I don’t know how to translate the headline in the news item which literally translates as “Skin shinier than snow.”

Jo Hyun-Jae’s life in the military is revealed for the first time when Defense Daily posted these photos of the army dog soldier on January 17.  Jo Hyun-Jae enlisted in the military in August 2008 and will soon be promoted to Sergeant in March 2010.  He is at present serving as an army dog soldier in the Army’s 2nd Battalion Support Command in Gyeonggi-do.  He just completed “Severe Cold” training in blizzard conditions earlier this month. 

　국방일보가 공개한 사진 속에서 조현재는 세퍼드 군견과 나란히 눈 밭에서 웃고 있어 눈길을 끈다. 군생활에 완벽하게 적응한 늠름한 모습 가운데, 눈보다 더욱 하얗고 빛난 피부가 인상적이다.

　네티즌들은 “군대에서도 빛난 이기적인 피부다” “현역으로 당당히 활동하는 모습이 보기 좋다” “군견병으로 근무하는 연예인은 처음인데 색다르다”며 응원을 보내고 있다.

　조현재는 군 입대후 연예사병 러브콜을 수차례 받았지만, 평범한 군생활을 하고 싶다는 의지 때문에 이를 거절한 것으로 알려졌다.

　조현재의 소속사 측은 “연예사병 대신 다른 현역병과 마찬가지로 똑같이 생활하고 싶어 했다. 대신 자대에서 군견병을 제안했는데, 조현재도 평소 개를 좋아하는 애견가라 이에 자원했다. 최근 유격 훈련에 이어 혹한기 훈련도 무사히 마쳤다. 오는 6월 제대까지 군생활을 잘 마무리하기 위해 최선을 다하고 있다”고 밝혔다.

You all know Jo Hyun-Jae is an army dog soldier.  Here he is with his army dog Briro after he returned from “Severe Cold” training on January 14.  Photos are taken on the snow-covered grounds of his army camp. 

The master looks much fitter and smarter than his dog which seems a little worn out.   Briro looked very sharp in those Defense Daily photos a few months ago, remember?

(Source: Blog.naver.com)