Hazing in the Republic of Korea Armed Forces

[3] Such hazing in the South Korean military has led to numerous major incidents, including a series of suicides and gun shootings.

[4][5] The Republic of Korea Armed Forces originates from the Korean Liberation Army, formed in response to Japanese occupation and attempts at colonization during World War II.

[8] Critics have also noted that LGBT South Korean soldiers are particularly targeted and vulnerable to hazing and extreme abuse during conscription.

[12] While the true cause of such high suicide rates among South Korean military soldiers have been debated, research has shown that hazing, anger, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation were positively linked and that hazing is a significant predictor of high levels of anger and depressive symptoms.

[18] However, experts warn such actions will eventually lead to even wider problems by recruiting personnel who would not be able to adapt to the closed military.