Some eight thousand South Koreans with permanent residency abroad applied to complete their mandatory military service over the past 20 years.

According to the Military Manpower Administration on Thursday, eight-thousand-53 individuals have applied between the start of the permanent resident enlistment application system in 2004 and the end of last year.

The number of applicants has climbed from a mere 38 in the first year to 221 in 2011 and hitting 704 in 2020, a rise the agency has attributed to growing national pride amid growing interest in South Korea around the world.

Under the current system, nationals with permanent residency overseas have a conscription obligation in accordance with the Military Service Act up to the age of 38.