Is it typical for Korea duty to be specifically mentioned on a DD214? What is required to earn a Korea Defense Service Medal?

Thanks for asking the question. I did two separate one year tours in Korea in the 1990's and had never heard of the Korea Defense Service Medal. Apparently it was created in 2002 (just before I retired), but is retroactive to 1954 and anyone who spent >30 consecutive days in Korea are eligible.

I'll add this to my list of eligible Medals that I will never do the paperwork to receive. So far they include the the Cold War Recognition Certificate, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and now the Korea Defense Service Medal.

As a routine overseas assignment, only duration would be listed as Foreign Service Time in Block 12f of the DD-214. If assignment was during a designated IDP/HFP period, it will then be specified in Block 18.

Eligibility as per Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program 18 DECEMBER 2013
6.21. Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM).
6.21.1. In February 2004, the DoD approved the Korean Defense Service Medal to recognize military service in the Republic of Korea and the surrounding waters after 28 July 1954 and ending on such a future date as determined by SECDEF. Eligibility is as follows:
6.21.2. Members must have been assigned, attached, or mobilized to units operating or serving on all the land area of the Republic of Korea, and the contiguous waters out to 12 nautical miles, and all airspace above all the land and water areas of Korea. Personnel must have been physically present in the areas above for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days, or meet one of the following:
6.21.2.1. Be engaged in actual combat during an armed engagement, regardless of the time in the areas of eligibility,
6.21.2.2. Be killed, wounded, or injured in the line of duty and required medical evacuation from the area of eligibility. The KDSM may be awarded posthumously.
6.21.2.3. While participating as a regularly assigned aircrew member flying sorties into, out of, within or over the area of eligibility in support of military operations. Each day that one or more sorties are flown in accordance with these criteria shall count as 1 day toward the 30 or 60 day requirement
6.21.3. Authorized Device: None. Only one award of the KDSM is authorized for any member, regardless of the number of days over 30 or 60, tours, TDYs, or deployments served in the areas of eligibility.

Army Regulation (AR) 600-8-22 Military Awards 25 June 2015
2–20. Korea Defense Service Medal
a. Authorization. The KDSM was authorized by Section 543, National Defense Authorization Act, 2003, PL 107–314. It is authorized for award to Servicemembers of the Armed Forces of the United States who have served on active duty in support of the defense of the Republic of Korea. The area of eligibility and period of eligibility are as follows:
(1) The area of eligibility encompasses all land area of the Republic of Korea, and the contiguous water out to 12 nautical miles, and all airspaces above the land and water areas.
(2) The period of eligibility is 28 July 1954 to a date to be determined by the Secretary of Defense.
b. Criteria. Servicemembers must have been assigned, attached, or mobilized to units operating in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive or for 60 nonconsecutive days, or meet the following criteria:
(1) Be engaged in combat during an armed engagement, regardless of the time in the area of eligibility.
(2) Wounded or injured in the line of duty and requires medical evacuation from the area of eligibility.
(3) While participating as a regularly assigned air crewmember flying sorties into, out of, within, or over the area of eligibility in direct support of military operations. Each day that one or more sorties are flown in accordance with these criteria will count as 1 day toward the 30- or 60-day requirement.
(4) Personnel who serve in operations and exercises conducted in the area of eligibility are considered eligible for the award as long as the basic time criteria is met. Due to the extensive time period for KDSM eligibility, the nonconsecutive service period for eligibility remains cumulative throughout the entire period.
c. Special provisions. Servicemembers qualified for the AFEM by reasons of service between 1 October 1966 and 30 June 1974, in an area for which the KDSM was authorized subsequently, are eligible for both the AFEM and the KDSM. Award of the KDSM for this time period is a one-time exception to policy to comply with section 543, National Defense Authorization Act, 2003, PL 107–314.
d. General.
(1) The OSR is authorized to be awarded with the KDSM.
(2) The KDSM may be awarded posthumously to any Soldier who lost his or her life without regard to length of such service.
(3) Only one award of the KDSM is authorized for any individual.
(4) The KDSM will be worn after the GWOTSM and will be followed by the AFSM (that is, GWOTSM, KDSM, and AFSM).

MSgt Richard Rountree Korean Sevice Medal is listed on my 214. Svc in Korea is not.