My mother lives and works overseas, and she'd complain about her IT department all the time.
Wish I could get work permit to work there, but I'd have to serve in 'their' military for 2 years...

Yeah, totally makes sense. Nope.

So wait does she work for the military or is serving in the military a requirement to get a work visa/permit in this country?

@Stuxnet
Because both my parents are/were Korean citizens, I have to serve in Korean military regardless of my birthplace or citizenship status if I want a permanent visa or work permit.
If I remember correctly, if I have a son in the future, he has to serve in the Korean military if he wishes to work in South Korea, even if he's born outside of South Korea and never been a Korean citizen.

Edit: my mother's organisation isn't military related.

@Alice same for me, missed it for 2 years. I am so glad.

But worry not if a war starts all the dev with a certain set of skills will be conscripted anyhow.

@Alice everyone who's sexist gets proven wrong all the time, yet they're still bigoted dipshits that need crucifying and burning alive.

Just an update.

Turns out I can live there... Kind of.

If I move out of Korea every 3 months, and then come back, I can stay indefinitely on tourist visa.

But it means I won't be getting any employment opportunities.