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South Korea first allowed women into the military in 1950 during the Korean War. Back then, female soldiers mainly held administrative and support positions. Women began to take on combat roles in the 1990s when the three military academies, exclusive to men, began accepting women.

For women in my family, in Korean culture, women are really valued in their youth, and then when they get older, it's like they almost become irrelevant.

From the early 1960s to the mid-1980s - the era of military dictatorship when South Korea was rebuilding itself from a postwar economic basket case to a humming, modern nation - military schools were the track of choice for ambitious young men.

I have no problem with women in the military, if that's what they want to do.

And while national military forces have historically resisted the full participation of women soldiers, female talent has found plenty of scope in revolutionary and terrorist groups around the planet.

Women are needed in the military because there aren't enough soldiers, and we're seeing more women serve.

Much of the demand for women in combat comes from female officers who are eager for medals and promotions.

It's mainly a few elite women who benefit greatly from standing with the forces that keep women down.

Meanwhile, our young men and women whose economic circumstances make military service a viable career choice are dying bravely in a war with no end in sight.

I'm impressed by the economic development of Korea. And women scientists played, without doubt, an important role in it.