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Military

Unbiased History & Stories on Korea for Global Audience

Sponsored by Open Korea Foundation

  • Question about mandatory military servce

    Aug 14, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I was born in 1991, and have lived in USA since 2001, and I plan on moving back to Korea…

    Military, Question
  • NCT 127’s BLINGY: The Future Arrives in Formation

    Aug 14, 2026
    in Feeds
    NCT 127’s BLINGY: The Future Arrives in Formation

    NCT 127’s 7th Full Album “BLINGY” and the New Architecture of K-pop The table is already in motion. Chrome rods…

    Curiosity, Global Expansion, history, Japan, K-pop, Military, Question, travel
  • Balhae Descendants of Goguryeo Lineage Continued Their Family Line in Goryeo

    Aug 14, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Balhae Descendants of Goguryeo Lineage Continued Their Family Line in Goryeo

    One aspect of Balhae history that is often overlooked is what happened to members of its royal family and their…

    family, Goguryeo, Goryeo, history, Japan, japanese invasion, Joseon, Korean History, Military
  • are there any current or former idols you’d wish did a memoir?

    Aug 13, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    i don’t read often (i really should), but the memoir and autobiographical genre is my favorite type of book. thinking…

    LG, Military, Perspectives
  • Where Did the Refugees of Balhae Go?

    Aug 13, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Where Did the Refugees of Balhae Go?

    The Migration of Balhae Refugees (Naetu, 來投) The migration of Balhae refugees (Naetu, 來投) refers to the historical movement of…

    Baekje, family, Goguryeo, Goryeo, history, Korean History, Military, Pyongyang
  • Historical Records of Mahan (마한): Clothing, Lifestyle

    Aug 12, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Historical Records of Mahan (마한): Clothing, Lifestyle

    Hello everyone! Here is a compiled list of historical records and archaeological insights regarding the attire, lifestyle, and culture of…

    Baekje, Goguryeo, Joseon, Military
  • ZE:A’s Kim Dongjun revealed he lied to his military senior that he was close to fromis_9 to make his military life easier

    Aug 12, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    For context, fromis_9 is a pretty popular group in the military. They ranked like second or third in a recent…

    Korean Military, Military, Survey
  • Height of young Korean men in military – 2025

    Aug 12, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Height of young Korean men in military – 2025

    I am sharing with you the data from Kosis. It is heights of young men entering military last year. Unlike…

    Japan, Koreans, Military
  • Why is South Korean actress Ha-young getting so much backlash from Koreans right now?

    Aug 12, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Before getting into this, you need to understand a little bit of South Korean history so you can understand why…

    apology, Controversy, Crime, Daejeon, fail, family, history, Japan, Korean History, Korean Language, Koreans, Medical, Military, Parents, Question, Social Media, Tokyo
  • Trump says his plane faced ‘greater risk’ in secret flight change

    Aug 12, 2026
    in News
    Trump says his plane faced ‘greater risk’ in secret flight change

    WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he secretly switched planes in Turkey last month at the direction…

    Donald Trump, Military, Question, Social Media, travel
  • South Korea Police Arrest Two Former Chinese Military Officers in Separate Espionage Cases

    Aug 11, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    submitted by /u/Cencipol910 [link] [comments]

    Military
  • Looking for historical sites related to early Korean immigrant communities (pre-1950s)

    Aug 11, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I’ve been researching early Korean diaspora history—specifically historical sites, former community halls, independence movement spots, or early churches outside of…

    history, Military
  • A thought regarding the “contract renewal” topic I want to express for a long time

    Aug 10, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Probably some days before Heeseung departure from Enhypen, I did give an opinion in an unpopular opinions post, that went…

    K-pop, K-pop Fans, Military, Scandal
  • Overseas Korean Adoptee reclaiming citizenship

    Aug 10, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I was adopted from Korea as a baby (6 months ish) and I recently learned I may be eligible for…

    Military, Survey
  • In just three hours, Japanese colonial authorities rounded up 466 Seoul residents for black-market trading, sentenced them on the spot, and sent them by streetcar to Seodaemun Prison (July 1945)

    Aug 10, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    In just three hours, Japanese colonial authorities rounded up 466 Seoul residents for black-market trading, sentenced them on the spot, and sent them by streetcar to Seodaemun Prison (July 1945)

    This article illustrates an example of the brutal “summary trials” carried out in connection with mass police sweeps against black-market…

    fail, family, Japan, LG, Military, Punishment, purpose, Question, Seoul, Warning
  • Who is 1st sitting lawmaker to enter military boot camp as trainee soldier?

    Aug 8, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Who is 1st sitting lawmaker to enter military boot camp as trainee soldier?

    submitted by /u/Ok-Huckleberry5836 [link] [comments]

    Military
  • Do you think NCT Jaehyun knows how much Sung Hanbin admires him?

    Aug 7, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    I was just randomly wondering about this. We all know how big of an NCT fan Sung Hanbin is. He…

    Military
  • Jin, Reflected: Inside a Portrait of Quiet Power

    Aug 7, 2026
    in Feeds
    Jin, Reflected: Inside a Portrait of Quiet Power

    BTS’s eldest returns to the frame not as a comeback story, but as a study in what stillness can say…

    apology, BTS, Celebrity, Curiosity, Fame, Japan, K-pop, Military, Photography, purpose, study
  • US drone mix-up caused by communication error at working level: official

    Aug 3, 2026
    in News
    US drone mix-up caused by communication error at working level: official

    Last week’s mix-up between South Korean and U.S. militaries over a U.S. drone flight occurred due to a communication error…

    fail, Korean Military, Military, Seoul
  • N. Korea decries NATO fuel network overhaul as ‘unprecedented’ war preparations

    Aug 1, 2026
    in News
    N. Korea decries NATO fuel network overhaul as ‘unprecedented’ war preparations

    North Korea on Saturday condemned the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)’s recently approved fuel network overhaul plan, casting it as…

    cold war, Military, North Korea, Pyongyang, Ukraine
  • PPP calls on defense minister to step down over mix-up of US military drone as enemy threat

    Jul 31, 2026
    in News
    PPP calls on defense minister to step down over mix-up of US military drone as enemy threat

    The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) called on the defense minister to step down Friday, urging him to take…

    fail, Military, North Korea
  • Dual citizen – Military service

    Jul 30, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Hello everyone, So i’m in a bit of a situation right now and would appreciate anyone with more knowledge in…

    Korean Military, Military, Parents
  • Update, stats about BG albums sales over the years

    Jul 29, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Hi, everyone, as a kpop stan, I like to try to understand evolutions, if what’s said is true, etc… I…

    BTS, Gen Z, Koreans, Military, Question, study
  • has you or anyone you know personally dodged the mandatory military duty? if so what did they do?

    Jul 28, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    i was doing a huge deep dive into the topic of the korean military (im a non korean american) and…

    Korean American, Korean Military, Military
  • Seoul isn’t drifting away from Washington

    Jul 28, 2026
    in News
    Seoul isn’t drifting away from Washington

    A particular narrative has taken hold in Washington policy circles: that Korea’s current government and the ruling party represents an…

    history, Military, Protest, Seoul
  • Jin, Unhurried: Inside ELLE Korea x Gucci’s Portrait of a Man Who Already Won

    Jul 27, 2026
    in Feeds
    Jin, Unhurried: Inside ELLE Korea x Gucci’s Portrait of a Man Who Already Won

    The room is dark wood and gold leaf — a hotel interior that looks older than the century it’s actually…

    BTS, Japan, K-pop, Military, Photography, Sex
  • Why is Exo’s tour so short? Do they still have demand to do a world tour like Bigbang?

    Jul 27, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    i’m not gonna compare them to other 3rd gen groups like bts and blackpink for obvious reasons and twice and…

    BTS, Military
  • Yuehua should be held accountable for their cruelty towards Ji Yunseo

    Jul 27, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    Ji Yunseo has been kicked out of his group, fired, and is likely being held captive by a non-compete contract,…

    Crime, fail, family, history, Japan, Justice, KT, Military, purpose, Question
  • Jaehyun Returns in Prada: The Calm Power of K-Pop’s Modern Icon

    Jul 24, 2026
    in Feeds
    Jaehyun Returns in Prada: The Calm Power of K-Pop’s Modern Icon

    Hero Lead NCT’s Jaehyun doesn’t just enter a frame — he slows time. In the new W Korea x Prada…

    Fame, Gen Z, Japan, K-pop, KT, Military, Photography
  • Seoul says cooperation with NATO aimed at global peace, seeks stable relations with Russia

    Jul 21, 2026
    in News
    Seoul says cooperation with NATO aimed at global peace, seeks stable relations with Russia

    South Korea’s proposed cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is aimed at enhancing their own respective contributions to…

    Military, Peace, Seoul
  • Starbucks Korea workers form 1st coffee franchise union

    Jul 19, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    Starbucks Korea workers form 1st coffee franchise union

    Starbucks Korea workers have formed the first labor union at a domestic coffee franchise, joining the Korean Chemical, Textile &…

    apology, coffee, Democracy, Military, Protest
  • Starbucks Korea workers form 1st coffee franchise union

    Jul 19, 2026
    in News
    Starbucks Korea workers form 1st coffee franchise union

    Starbucks Korea workers have formed the first labor union at a domestic coffee franchise, joining the Korean Chemical, Textile &…

    coffee, Democracy, Military
  • US and Iran escalate strikes across Mideast; bridges and water plant hit

    Jul 18, 2026
    in News
    US and Iran escalate strikes across Mideast; bridges and water plant hit

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The United States and Iran escalated their attacks across the Middle East on Friday, trading…

    Donald Trump, Military
  • “Even prison will not save you”: unmarried young Korean women feared sexual enslavement in Imperial Japan’s wartime labor conscription, but officials said evaders would be imprisoned and then conscripted anyway (September 1944)

    Jul 18, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    “Even prison will not save you”: unmarried young Korean women feared sexual enslavement in Imperial Japan’s wartime labor conscription, but officials said evaders would be imprisoned and then conscripted anyway (September 1944)

    By early 1944, months before Japan formally promulgated the Women’s Labor Volunteer Corps Ordinance in August 1944, reports from colonial…

    BTS, Discussion, Ewha, fail, family, Japan, LG, Military, Punishment, purpose, Question, Sex, travel
  • To BG stans, how did you survive enlistment era?

    Jul 13, 2026
    in Community, Feeds

    It’s day 2 of my GG’s (Twice) hiatus – which will likely last for at least 5-ish months – and…

    Military
  • PPP ramps up pressure on defense minister over military service desertion allegations

    Jul 13, 2026
    in Community, Feeds
    PPP ramps up pressure on defense minister over military service desertion allegations

    submitted by /u/Saltedline [link] [comments]

    Military
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Latest Korean News

  • LG Twins acquire Australian pitcher Jon KennedyAugust 15, 2026
    The LG Twins announced Saturday they have acquired Australian pitcher… Read more: LG Twins acquire Australian pitcher Jon Kennedy
  • Lisa apologizes over BLACKPINK’s troubled 10th anniversary eventAugust 15, 2026
    BLACKPINK’s Lisa has apologized to fans over the group’s 10th… Read more: Lisa apologizes over BLACKPINK’s troubled 10th anniversary event
  • Korea’s chief trade negotiator sacked amid growing US tariff pressureAugust 15, 2026
    Korea’s chief trade negotiator has been dismissed from his post,… Read more: Korea’s chief trade negotiator sacked amid growing US tariff pressure
  • Tired of cookie-cutter revenge thrillers? ‘A Shop for Killers’ offers a refreshing dose of actionAugust 15, 2026
    Jeong Ji-an (Kim Hye-jun), who lost both of her parents… Read more: Tired of cookie-cutter revenge thrillers? ‘A Shop for Killers’ offers a refreshing dose of action
  • Spitting at nuns: Religious harassment by Jewish extremists becomes routine in JerusalemAugust 15, 2026
    Jerusalem’s Old City, home to sacred sites of Judaism, Christianity… Read more: Spitting at nuns: Religious harassment by Jewish extremists becomes routine in Jerusalem

Latest Community Feeds

  • The Sung Hanbin– NCT Jaehyun interaction I wanted is never happening at this point.August 15, 2026
  • I made a Taegeukgi artisan keycap for Korea’s Liberation DayAugust 15, 2026
  • Saw this license plate in the USA and thought y’all would appreciate it!!August 15, 2026
  • Happy Independence day (Appreciation post)August 15, 2026
  • Happy National Liberation Day (광복절) 🇰🇷 Art by @hantograph on InstagramAugust 15, 2026
  • Reflections and Questions on Why some Foreigners Spread misInformation and Criticize South Korea (Long text)August 15, 2026
  • Gunsan SunsetAugust 15, 2026
  • Crimson Desert did so well that developer Pearl Abyss reported 94% increased labor expenses due to “performance bonus payments” made to 1,035 employeesAugust 15, 2026
  • Sumin may be more well-known as a songwriter and producer in the Kpop world, but her new solo album dinnermode is outstanding and needs to be heardAugust 15, 2026
  • i actually prefer kpop idols natural hair colour over their coloured hairAugust 15, 2026
  • If you’re a guy and ever thought about a KPop dance class…August 15, 2026
  • Chinese People Celebrate Korea’s Liberation Day/광복절(光復節)August 15, 2026
  • Question about mandatory military servceAugust 14, 2026
  • An inside look at SK Hynix $720 billion AI-fueled buildout that’s taking over South Korea – CNBC.comAugust 14, 2026
  • Grammys May Reconsider New Asian Pop Award After BTS Withdrawal: ‘Some Artists Feel This Category Isn’t Representing the Music They Create’August 14, 2026
  • Colonial wealthAugust 14, 2026
  • ‘I lost $14,000 in a month’: Investors hit by Korean stock market’s wild swingsAugust 14, 2026
  • [ANALYSIS] ‘Yellow envelope law’ could derail chip cluster project: law expertsAugust 14, 2026
  • Bad time to be a Villian and Army… Just ventingAugust 14, 2026
  • aespa and their MBTIs – things you’ve seen/noticed?August 14, 2026

All Articles

  • Art (3)
  • Feeds (24,635)
    • Community (18,260)
    • Entertainment (988)
    • News (5,056)
  • History (41)
  • People (16)

History of Korea

  • Exploring Ancient Korea: A Journey into Pre-HistoryOctober 12, 2017
    Introduction to Pre-Historic Korea The timeline of ancient Korea before documented history is a fascinating yet challenging area of study.… Read more: Exploring Ancient Korea: A Journey into Pre-History
  • The Rise and Fall of Go Joseon and the Emergence of the Three KingdomsOctober 19, 2017
    Introduction to Go Joseon The Go Joseon dynasty, often considered a pivotal era in Korean history, emerged around the end… Read more: The Rise and Fall of Go Joseon and the Emergence of the Three Kingdoms
  • The Rise and Fall of Korea’s Three Kingdoms: A Story of Power, Conflict, and UnificationNovember 30, 2017
    Introduction to the Three Kingdoms The Three Kingdoms period in Korea, encompassing approximately from the 1st century BCE to the… Read more: The Rise and Fall of Korea’s Three Kingdoms: A Story of Power, Conflict, and Unification
  • Choe Chi-wonFebruary 14, 2018
    Introduction to Choe Chi-won Choe Chi-won, born in 857, stands as a notable figure in Korean history, specifically during the… Read more: Choe Chi-won
  • King Gwanggaeto the GreatMay 14, 2018
    Introduction to King Gwanggaeto King Gwanggaeto the Great, a pivotal figure in Korean history, ruled from 395 to 413 CE… Read more: King Gwanggaeto the Great
  • Won HyoOctober 14, 2018
    Introduction to Won Hyo Won Hyo, a prominent figure in Korean history, is celebrated for his profound impact on the… Read more: Won Hyo
  • Jang BogoApril 14, 2019
    Introduction to Jang Bogo Jang Bogo, a prominent historical figure from the Silla Dynasty, played a pivotal role in shaping… Read more: Jang Bogo
  • GyebaekApril 14, 2019
    Introduction to Gyebaek Gyebaek is a prominent historical figure in Korean history, particularly known for his role as a general… Read more: Gyebaek
  • King MuryeongSeptember 14, 2019
    Introduction to King Muryeong King Muryeong, reigning from 501 to 523 AD, stands as one of the most influential monarchs… Read more: King Muryeong
  • The Rise and Fall of the Goryeo Dynasty: A Precursor to the Joseon EraJanuary 3, 2020
    Introduction to the Goryeo Dynasty The Goryeo Dynasty, established in 918 AD by the notable general Wang Geon, marks a… Read more: The Rise and Fall of the Goryeo Dynasty: A Precursor to the Joseon Era

Open Korea

Open Korea

Korean Identities Beyond Borders

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Helplines in Korea

112  | Police

Call to report life-threatening situations and emergencies requiring law enforcement. Text service and location tracking service is also available.

119 | Fire & Ambulance

The fire department and health emergencies requiring ambulance service. There’s also an English reporting section on their website.

182 | Missing Persons & Stolen Vehicles

This line is also used for non-emergency reports and requests such as inquiring about the cost of a fine for a traffic violation, information on car licenses, and how to contact officers in charge of specific cases.

1339 | Korea Center for Disease Control (KCDC) Foreigner Helpline

Particularly useful during the 2015 MERS scare, the KCDC provides foreigners with information about first-aid and diseases in English, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Mongolian.

1366 | Seoul Women’s Help Hotline

Not necessarily English-friendly and not outside of Seoul, this 24-hour service immediate response line for women involved in domestic abuse, sexual violence or prostitution should still be kept handy.

1330 | Korea Tourism Organization’s Travel Helpline

Tourism and translation services. The service is available 24/7 and provides information on tourist sites, transportation, restaurants, and more.

120 | Seoul Municipal Government Info

The Seoul “Dasan” helpline provides information on restaurants (Korean and international cuisines), transportation (bus, subway, taxi, etc.), Korean language schools, interpretation services, legal consulting, lost items, volunteer services, daily living in Seoul, and tourism. Available languages are Chinese, English, Japanese, Mongolian and Vietnamese from 9 am to 10 pm.

1345 | Immigration

Foreign resident can to ask just about any immigration-related question. Keep in mind that they tend to be on the negative side, as it’s the safer way for them to answer. Tip: Get their name and information so that if you visit the immigration office and get a different story you can tell them that you were told otherwise…

1331 | National Human Rights Commission of Korea

Call here to get information on human rights laws and social justice in Korea, as well as get assistance with filing a complaint and even receive counseling.

110 | National Government Call Center

This phone number is available for the public to call and inquire about anything from government policy to civil complaints. Available in 20 different languages.

Useful Official Links on Korea

Korean Arts

  • Archive of Gugak 국악아카이브
  • Artsnet 미술포탈 아츠넷
  • Digital Archive of Performing Arts 공연예술 디지털 아카이브
  • Intangible Heritage Digital Archive 무형유산 디지털 아카이브
  • Korea Digital Archives for the Arts 한국예술디지털아카이브
  • National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea 국립현대미술관
  • ​National Museum of Korea 국립중앙박물관
  • Seoul Photo Archives 서울사진아카이브

Korean Cinema

  • HANCINEMA The Korean Movie & Drama Database
  • Intangible Heritage Digital Archive 무형유산 디지털 아카이브
  • KMDb 한국영화데이터베이스
  • Korea Digital Archives for the Arts 한국예술디지털아카이브
  • Korean Annual Box Office Results 영화진흥위원회 박스오피스
  • Korean Film Archive 한국영상자료원
  • Korean Film Archive YouTube Channel
  • Korean Film Biz Zone
  • Korean Film Council 한국영화진흥위원회
  • KTV National Record Film 한국정책방송원 e영상역사관
  • North Korean film 북한영화 (통일부 북한자료센타)

Language & Literature

  • The Academy of Korean Studies 한국학 중앙 연구원
  • DLKL (한국 문학 디지털 도서관) by 한국문학번역원Digital Library of Korean Literature
  • The Korea Comparative Literature Association 한국비교문학회
  • The Korean Association of Language Sciences 한국언어과학회
  • Korean Literature Archive
  • Korean Literature Author Data Service
  • Korean Literature E-books in Multiple Languages
  • The Learned Society of Modern Korean Literature 한국현대문학회
  • The Modern Linguistic Society of Korea 한국현대언어학회
  • The Society of Korean Oral Literature 한국 구비 문학회
  • 국어 능력 인증 시험 (한국언어문화연구원)
  • 근대 문학 종합 목록 (국립 중앙 도서관)A comprehensive database for Korean modern literature. The site provides a search for authors and titles.
  • 한국 고전 종합 DB
  • 한글 학회 (Korean Language Society)

Statistical Sources

Government sources

  • Statistics Korea (KOSTAT 통계청)
  • Korean Statistical Information Sources (KOSIS 국가통계포털)
  • Open DATA Portal (공공 데이터 포털)

Themed statistics

  • Korean Social Science Data Archive (KOSSDA) 한국사회과학자료원
  • North Korean Statistics 북한통계 (KOISS)
  • 경제통계시스템 (Economic Statistics System)
  • 국가교육통계정보센터 (Korea National Center for Education Statistics & Information)
  • 노동통계 (Labour Statistics)
  • Media Statistics (Korea Press Foundation)
  • Trade Statistics (수출입통계, 관세청 Korea Customs Service)

History related sources

  • 한국역사정보통합시스템 (국사편찬워원회)
  • 한국사 데이터베이스
  • Kyujanggak Institute (규장각 한국학 연구원)Seoul National University Kyujanggak Institute for Korean studies
  • 한국학 디지털 아카이브
  • The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty 조선 왕조 실록
  • The Daily Records of Royal Secretariat of Joseon Dynasty 승정원 일기
  • 朝鮮王朝実録 (東京大学東洋文化研究所)
  • Korean Image Archive (한국 이미지 자료원)2,400 historic, original photographs of Korea (primarily focus on images captured pre-1970, and 35mm color slides) are available for research, presentation, lectures and other forms of scholarly works.
  • Sajin Taehan Min’guk (사진 대한민국)a collection of photographic records that vividly capture the people’s daily lives and social changes.
  • Academy of Korean Studies [한국학 디지털 아카이브]

Bibliographies and Indexes

  • 한국학술지인용색인 Korea Citation Index
  • KORCIS: 한국 고문헌 종합 목록 (국립중앙도서관)Korean Old and Rare Collection Information System
  • 近代朝鮮関係書籍データベース (東京大学東洋文化研究所)
  • 한국 잡지 박물관 DB