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<p>“Evidently not a skill valued in Korea.” I think you’ve just proved that you very much are not capable of independent, rational thought. Especially after deeming respecting a country’s policy an act of someone “culturally brainwashed.”</p>
<p>You don’t have to like the draft. Many people don’t, and that’s your choice. But you shouldn’t slur a system when having no understanding of it. Draft dodging is not refusing to go when you don’t have to. It is when you use illegal and morally shady means to avoid a law. The “means, power and connections” you are referring to are bribing officials, abusing corporate power, etc. If you would do that without a second thought…well, good for you, I guess. I’m not sure what you mean by “legally” unless you mean doing government work, which is a different story.</p>
<p>But don’t generalize and assume everyone would do the same. I’m sure some people would, but those who believe it is wrong to dodge the draft (and break the law) aren’t doing so out of mere jealousy. Aside from those who do go to the army out of a sense of nationalism (and believe it or not, they do exist), draft dodging itself is a disincentive. You just might be able to avoid two years, but you face the high risk of being caught (since the people who have the “means” to avoid it are usually high-profile) for the rest of your life.</p>
<p>It’s great that you subscribe to the whole capitalist, individualist idealogy or whatever. But it was your choice to not live in Korea, just as it is your choice not to go back. And for some people 2 years of serving their country is important and you shouldn’t be so quick to jump all over it with swear words and generalizations. Especially when it’s someone else’s country (it doesn’t matter what ethnicity you are at this point).</p>
<h2>And I don’t know where you’ve been if you think Korea is poor.</h2>
<p>P.S Sorry for going on a tangent here.</p>