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Actor Hyeon raises national interest in joining Marines

Actor Hyun Bin, who plays the hero of the hit TV drama "Secret Garden", is the oldest applicant for the Marines.

He applied to join last month and is awaiting the announcement of successful candidates. He is the oldest applicant since the Military Manpower Administration began recruiting Marines in July 2008.

Hyeon, 29, underwent a physical checkup and interviews and will learn Thursday if he is admitted.

At a "Secret Garden" soundtrack concert in Children's Grand Park in Seoul Saturday, Hyeon said, "It's not an act that deserves compliments or public attention. I just did what I was obliged to do", adding, "I had this plan for a long time and am putting my plan into practice. I didn't expect this would make such a big splash".

A draft official said, "By deciding to join the Marines at age 30, he has contributed to spreading the culture of volunteering for military duty".

Ruling Grand National Party Rep. Chun Yeo-ok said, "Popular entertainers are considered high-class people nowadays, but Hyun Bin put into practice noblesse oblige".

Hyeon is not alone. The Marines have enjoyed immense popularity since North Korea's shelling of South Korea's Yeonpyeong Island last year, with more young men seeking to join after Marines risked their lives to counter the attack.

The Marines assume the primary responsibility of defending South Korea's five Yellow Sea islands, which are under direct threat from the North's long-range and coastline artillery guns.

According to the draft administration Sunday, 4,553 candidates applied for 1,011 Marines openings for a competitive ratio of 4.5:1 in this month's recruiting that was closed on Jan. 10. The ratio is the highest since the agency took over recruiting from the Marines.

The competitive ratio was 3.6 last month soon after the shelling of Yeonpyeong. The previous record had been 4.0 in January last year.

The annual average competitive ratio of the Marines recruiting was 2.3 in 2008 but fell to 2.1 in 2009 before rebounding to 2.4 last year.

A Military Manpower Administration source said, "North Korea's shelling attack has apparently boosted patriotism in young South Koreans".

Applicants gave a number of reasons for signing up, including "I was angry over North Korea firing artillery at civilians, and thought I have to defend the nation", "North Korea's shelling attack stimulated my spirit of challenge", and, "If defending the nation requires sacrifice, I won't avoid this".

The Marines fills its ranks solely with volunteers and require 21 months of service.

Baek Seung-joo, chief of the Center for Security and Strategy at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, said, "There's been a major change in the perceptions of the younger generation", adding, "Patriotism of the people taking pride in their nation as seen in advanced nations seems to be taking root in the minds of young (South) Koreans".

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