South Korea’s Military Shrinks by 20% in Six Years, Dropping to 450,000 Soldiers

Kokcha News Agency: The number of soldiers in South Korea’s military has decreased by 20% over the past six years, falling to 450,000. According to the South Korean Ministry of Defense, the primary reason for this decline is the sharp reduction in the male population of military service age.

South Korea, which has the world’s lowest birth rate, is also facing a shortage of officers, which could lead to long-term operational challenges.

Rapid Decline Over the Years:
A report reviewed by Reuters and presented to Democratic Party lawmaker Choo Mi-ae, whose office made it public, shows that South Korea’s military strength was around 690,000 in the early 2000s. The decline accelerated in the late 2010s, with the number dropping to 563,000 by 2019.

Between 2019 and 2025, the male population aged 20, most of whom serve 18 months of mandatory military service, is expected to decrease by 30%, falling to 230,000.

North Korea’s Military Strength:
According to the Ministry of Defense’s 2022 estimate, North Korea has approximately 1.2 million active soldiers.

The Ministry of Defense has stated that the reduction in military service duration has been made possible by the military alliance with the U.S., a growing defense industry, and increased technological capabilities.

During the Korean War, which ended with an armistice in 1953, the mandatory service period was 36 months.

Massive Defense Budget, Insufficient Soldiers:
South Korea’s defense budget, which will exceed 61 trillion won ($43.9 billion) in 2025, surpasses the estimated size of North Korea’s economy. However, the military is still 50,000 soldiers short of the number considered necessary for defense readiness, with 21,000 of the shortfall in the non-commissioned officer ranks.

South Korea has the world’s lowest fertility rate at 0.75 in 2024. The country’s population, which peaked at 51.8 million in 2020, is projected to decline to 36.2 million by 2072.