Stuck at home and taking classes online, Kyle Choi, 20 years old, became resolute on where he’d ride out the pandemic: South Korea’s military.Mr.
Choi, a college student in Seoul, accelerated his plans to fulfill his mandatory service of 18 months. As an environmental engineering major, Mr.
Choi worried virtual learning wasn’t replicating in-class experiments critical for his education. So, in late December, he voluntarily enlisted for boot camp at this central South Korean city.“You have to go anyway," he said. “Might as well go now."Around the world, militaries are seeing upticks in enlistments, as younger adults seek refuge from a pandemic that’s curbed job opportunities, social life and a traditional education.