Actor Yeo Jin-goo will officially begin his military service as a KATUSA (Korean Augmentation of the US Army) soldier on December 15, 2025, according to an official statement from his agency, J Full Entertainment.
The agency shared:
“Yeo Jin-goo has been selected to serve in the KATUSA unit starting December 15. Since the entrance ceremony at the training center will include many soldiers and their families, we ask fans to refrain from visiting the site. Please continue to send warm encouragement until the day he completes his duty and returns a more mature person.”
The actor himself first revealed the news during his 20th anniversary fan meeting tour of Asia for his debut, “Blank Space,” which took place in Taipei last month.
In a handwritten letter read on stage, Yeo Jin-goo expressed gratitude and comfort to fans: “I will return a stronger and more mature person. Don’t be sad: I left you many dramas and films to keep me close during this time away.”
His emotional message quickly went viral among fans, who praised the star for his sincerity and humility. On November 1, he concluded his fan meeting in Seoul, marking his final official schedule before enlisting.
Born in 1997, Yeo Jin-goo began his career as an actor at just eight years old, making his debut in Film of 2005: Sad film. Since then, he has built one of the most respected filmographies of his generation of actors.
Yeo Jin-goo’s selection as KATUSA reflects both her strong academic background and English fluency, making her enlistment particularly notable among fans.
KATUSA (Korean Augmentation to the United States Army) is a special branch of the Korean military that operates alongside the US military stationed in Korea.
Established during the Korean War in 1950, it is now the symbol of US-Korea military cooperation. KATUSA Soldiers share facilities and work environments with U.S. troops, and candidates must pass an English language proficiency test and undergo a competitive lottery-based selection process hosted by the Military Manpower Administration.
Yeo Jin-goo’s agency concluded its statement with warm words of appreciation: “We thank everyone who continues to support Yeo Jin-goo. Please look forward to his return as he fulfills his national duty with sincerity.”
The actor will be on duty for around 18 months, after which he is expected to resume his career, probably stronger and more grounded than ever.
Sources: News1, Wikitree
