Dodging Conscription: From DINK to Triple Kids in South Korea

We often hear that children are the future. They are the ones who are going to take over the reins and continue the human race. However, South Korea seems to be taking this a tad too literally, considering a rather interesting approach to tackle the plummeting birth rates. The proposition is simple and blunt: sire three children before turning 30, and avoid the mandatory military service. Sounds like a fair deal, right?

Let us take a moment to unpack this. The South Korean government is currently staring at an aging population and an alarming lack of youth to boost economic growth. As a response, they have decided to roll up their sleeves and delve into the realm of family planning. And by family planning, they mean trying to sweet-talk (or rather, strong-arm) their citizens into increasing the national football team’s recruitment pool. Meanwhile, DINK (Double Income, No Kids) couples across the world are probably thanking their lucky stars they don’t have to weigh the relative merits of diaper duty against donning army boots.

Conscription is viewed in South Korea as a rite of passage for all able-bodied males aged between 18 to 35. But with birth rates plummeting to record lows, authorities have reportedly been brainstorming “bold and sure measures” to drive up the numbers. Evidently, somebody concluded that the prospect of avoiding the draft could be enticing enough to nudge men towards fatherhood. At least, fatherhood times three.

However, the idea has predictably drawn flak from multiple quarters. Social media is abuzz with wry and sarcastic comments such as “Are you encouraging teenagers to give birth?” and “Who would have three children to avoid going to the military?”. We all know that the internet is a treasure trove of cynicism and sarcasm. However, in this case it’s hard to argue with the logic behind the snark.

Even experts like Jeffrey Robertson, an associate professor from Yonsei University in Seoul, didn’t mince words, calling the idea “laughable”. He pointed out that the costs associated with starting a family, including low-paying job opportunities, rising costs of living, and growing desires to remain single, are far from appealing to young adults in South Korea.

But let’s not dismiss the idea entirely. There is something oddly entertaining about imagining the “Parent vs. Patriot” debates that this proposal could spark. Imagine a young man, weighing the relative merits of changing diapers or loading rifles. Or parents, pulling out birth certificates instead of their wallets when trying to wrangle a military exemption for their son.

Humor aside, the proposal also highlights the growing trend of Child-Free by Choice (CFBC) and Voluntary Childlessness, not just in South Korea, but globally. Young people today are increasingly deciding to opt-out of parenthood, often due to a combination of personal, financial, and environmental reasons. The low birth rates in South Korea and other developed countries might not just be a demographic issue, but a societal shift. A reflection of changing values, aspirations, and definitions of what constitutes a fulfilling life.

Erin Hye-Won Kim, associate professor of public administration at the University of Seoul, advocates for a change in approach. She says, “We cannot ask people to have babies for the national economic growth or the sustainability of the country—we shouldn’t think of fertility as such [a] tool.” And she’s right. Children should never be used as bargaining chips in a demographic poker game.

In conclusion, the South Korean government’s proposal to boost birth rates is as amusing as it is worrying. While it gives us ample material for humor, it also calls for serious reflection on how we approach issues of fertility, parenthood, and societal expectations.

Until then, young men in South Korea may have to seriously ponder their life choices, while the rest of us chuckle and watch this demographic soap opera unfold.