SCIENCE & EDUCATION

Observers say that as more young people face tough economic conditions and struggle to find a decent job in South Korea, more will choose to wear a military uniform, writes Oh Kyu-wook for The Korea Herald.

According to recent data from the army, 6,403 students applied at the Korea Military Academy to become army officers – a competition rate of 23.7 for each place, the highest in nearly three decades. The Naval Academy and the Air Force Academy had 27.2 and 25.7 applicants per place, respectively.

To meet the growing demand for students, the army last year established new undergraduate programmes in four private institutions, including Konyang University in South Chungcheong province and Yeungnam University in North Gyeongsang province. All students in military courses benefit from having tuition fees paid for by the army, and also a guaranteed job after their graduation, according to an army official.

Source: University World News & The Korea Herald