Korean Military Discharge Date Calculator
Korean military service lasts 18 months in the Army and Marine Corps, 20 months in the Navy and 21 months in the Air Force and for social service personnel. Enlisting in the Army on 10 March 2025 ends on 2026-09-09; on 10 December 2025 that is 50.3% served with 273 days left.
How to use
- Pick the enlistment date (the day service starts) and the branch or service type. The service length in months is shown next to each option.
- The result shows the expected discharge date, the percent of service completed today, the days served and the days left as a D-day count.
- The halfway date is the day you pass 50% of the total service days. Change the date or branch to compare scenarios.
How it works
Service is counted from the day of enlistment, and that day is day 1 (Enforcement Decree of the Military Service Act, Article 27). The last day of service is therefore the day before the same date N months later. Enlisting on 4 March 2024 in the Army (18 months) ends service on 3 September 2025.
If the end month has no matching date, service ends on the last day of that month. Enlisting on 31 August 2023 for 18 months ends on 28 February 2025. This follows the month-counting rule in Article 160 of the Korean Civil Act.
Percent served = days served (enlistment day included) divided by total service days. Days left = discharge date minus today. Everything runs in your browser using your device date.
Not included: early discharge from accumulated leave, and days that do not count toward service (detention, military discipline training, absence without leave, Article 27). Your unit sets the official discharge date, so treat this as an estimate.
Service length by type
| Type | Months |
|---|---|
| Army, Marine Corps | 18 |
| Navy | 20 |
| Air Force | 21 |
| Active reserve (sangeun) | 18 |
| Social service personnel | 21 |
| Alternative service | 36 |
| Industrial technical personnel | 34 |
| Specialized research personnel | 36 (3 years) |
Sources
Service lengths: Military Manpower Administration, Overview of military service (mma.go.kr). Counting rules: Enforcement Decree of the Military Service Act, Articles 27 and 56 (law.go.kr). Month counting: Civil Act, Article 160.
Sources: 병무청 병역이행안내 (Military Manpower Administration) · 병역법 시행령 제27조 (Enforcement Decree of the Military Service Act)Last reviewed 2026-10-17
FAQ
How long is Korean military service?
For active-duty enlisted soldiers it is 18 months in the Army and Marine Corps, 20 months in the Navy and 21 months in the Air Force. Social service personnel serve 21 months, alternative service is 36 months, and industrial technical personnel serve 34 months (Military Manpower Administration).
Which day is the discharge date?
The last day of the service period, the day before the same calendar date N months after enlistment. The day you enlist counts as day 1.
Does it include leave or early discharge?
No. Leave days taken can bring the actual discharge date earlier, but the amount depends on the unit and the soldier, so this calculator shows the full-term date only.
Can I use it for a K-pop idol or actor who is enlisting?
Yes. Enter the publicly announced enlistment date and the branch, and you get the expected full-term discharge date and a countdown. The actual date can differ because of leave and unit decisions, and agencies usually announce it officially.
Does the service period change?
The length has been shortened in steps since 2018, and the figures above are the current ones on the Military Manpower Administration site. Check its page when the rules change.
Is my data sent anywhere?
No. The date and branch stay in your browser.