August 11, 2025 | 01:18 pm
South Korea's military has shrunk by 20 percent in the past six years. This decline is driven by a decline in the number of men of draft age in the country. According to a CNA report, the Ministry of Defense stated that the sharp decline in the number of recruits has also led to an officer shortage and could pose operational difficulties if it continues.
The report was previously submitted to Democratic Party lawmaker Choo Mi-ae, who then released a public statement. The number of South Korean military personnel has fallen from around 690,000 in the early 2000s to 563,000 in 2019, and now to 450,000.
Decrease in Conscripts
According to the latest government data, quoted by China Daily, between 2019 and 2025, the number of men aged 20, the general age for conscription, will drop by 30 percent to 230,000. Most who pass the medical examination will serve for 18 months. This service period is said to be significantly shorter than the 36 months in 1953, when the Korean War ended.
The reduction in service periods is due to increased defense capabilities, the military alliance with the United States, and the growth of South Korea's defense industry, which is now a major arms exporter.
Comparison with North Korea
Although South Korea's defense budget for 2025 is projected to reach more than 61 trillion won (approximately Rp 715 trillion), the Ministry of Defense stated that the South Korean military currently lacks 50,000 personnel to maintain combat readiness. Of that number, approximately 21,000 are non-commissioned officers. By comparison, according to the ministry's estimates, North Korea had approximately 1.2 million active personnel in 2022.
South Korea has one of the fastest aging populations and the lowest fertility rate in the world, at 0.75 in 2024. This figure indicates the average number of babies born to a woman during her reproductive years.
The population, which peaked at 51.8 million in 2020, is projected to decline to 36.2 million by 2072. The Ministry of Defense has again warned that this declining population trend could exacerbate future military personnel shortages.
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