Posted on 06/30/2018 11:29:55 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Newcastle United’s latest signing Ki Sung-yueng may be one of the better known faces in his native South Korea – but that doesn’t make him immune from completing his national service for his country.
Back in the summer of 2016, the 29-year-old had to ditch his luxury items and complete his mandatory military service which every male between the ages of 18-30 must do - and usually for 18 months.
This is due to the volatile relations between South Korea and North Korea - although in April 2018, both countries signed the Panmunjom Declaration with the hope of ending the conflict.
A conflict which results in the ‘possibility of a war’, according to Ki who spoke to the Wales Online in August 2016.
“I had to learn how to deal with it. As soon as I got in there I had to forget I was a footballer.
“I just had to train like a soldier so it was hard to think about football.
“In the first few days they were surprised to see me there, but then they were too busy. They had to train and everyone gets so tired.
“I had to become a member of the army – that was my only priority. I learned how to shoot and we were in a gas room where I had to go in and put a mask on.
“We walked 10 or 20 kilometres with a gun so it was hard training and a great experience.
“I went to bed at the same time, woke up at the same time and I didn’t drink so I think it kept me fit.”
Ki took part in gruelling routines, learned how to deal with chemical attacks and how to use weapons.
The midfielder was fortunate not to be made to complete his full term of duty but thanks to his part in South Korea’s bronze medal winning team in London 2012, he was given permission to serve just four weeks.
“It was a great experience, but it was tough,” he reflected.
“The training was not that hard, but mentally it was tough because I had to stay there for four weeks.
“I realised it is not easy for those in the army and having gone through the experience I felt proud of them. I didn’t know much about the army before, I didn’t know how they sacrifice themselves for their country.
“The way they train is so hard and they give their life for the country so I’m just very proud of them.”
Ki will officially join Newcastle on July 1 after signing a two-year deal with the club. He leaves Swansea City following their relegation to the Championship.
Ping!
My wife is half Korean and we visited her family there about 10 years ago. Her cousin told us that Japanese women will make the short flight from Japan to Korea to look for a husband because the Korean guys are known to be tough for having endured the 2 years in the army, whereas the Japanese guys are regarded as wimps. Don’t know how much truth there is to that but it was interesting.
I’ve seen a ROK sergeant hit a private in the face with a 2 X 4 and expect him to get back up for some more abuse.
When I was in S. Korea in the 60s, I had, for awhile, two ROK soldiers as friends. There were not in basic training but in a regular unit. I asked them about how things were in the ROK. They said the hardest part was the discipline because even the smallest infractions bring a harsh rebuke and no command from anyone above you can get the slightest question. They also said that a 2 x 4 about three feet long was used to “discipline” a soldier. My brother who served in NAM said the ROK soldiers there were feared by the Vietnamese more than were the Americans. TOTAL warriors he said.
As far as today’s ROK, I cannot say, and of course South Korean society has changed a lot too.
The Japanese hate Koreans. They hate everybody.
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