South Korea's military force has seen a significant reduction of 20% over the past six years, dwindling to 450,000 troops.
This dramatic decrease is primarily attributed to the sharp fall in the number of males eligible for compulsory service, a consequence of the nation's record-low birthrate, according to a report released on Sunday.
As reported by Newsmax, the Defense Ministry's report, presented to Choo Mi-ae, a member of the ruling Democratic Party, warns of the potential operational difficulties that could arise if this trend continues. The shrinking pool of available males for military service is not only reducing the overall troop count but also causing a deficit in the number of officers.
The decline in South Korea's military has been a steady process since the early 2000s when the force boasted about 690,000 soldiers. However, the pace of reduction accelerated in the late 2010s, with the number of active-duty soldiers and officers falling to approximately 563,000 by 2019.
In stark contrast, North Korea is estimated to have an active-duty military of about 1.2 million, according to the Defense Ministry's 2022 estimate. This disparity is further exacerbated by the 30% decline in the population of 20-year-old males, the typical age of enlistment, between 2019 and 2025.
Despite the dwindling numbers, the South Korean military has managed to shorten service periods, citing improved capabilities as a key reason. This has been made possible by a military alliance with the United States and the development of a robust defense industry, which has emerged as a major exporter of arms.
The defense budget of South Korea, exceeding 61 trillion won ($43.9 billion) in 2025, surpasses the estimated size of North Korea's economy. However, the military is still short of 50,000 troops, a number deemed necessary for maintaining defense readiness, according to the ministry. The non-commissioned officer ranks account for about 21,000 of this shortfall.
South Korea, one of the world's fastest-aging societies, holds the record for the lowest fertility rate globally, at 0.75 in 2024. This figure represents the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her reproductive life. The nation's population, which peaked at 51.8 million in 2020, is projected to shrink to 36.2 million by 2072, according to government forecasts.
The decline in military personnel is a pressing issue for South Korea, a nation that values its defense readiness. The country's conservative perspective emphasizes the importance of a robust military force, especially considering the potential threats from its northern neighbor.
The government will need to address this issue promptly, ensuring that the nation's defense capabilities are not compromised by the declining birthrate and aging population.
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