Official data released today reveal that South Korea’s armed forces have shrunk to 450,000 personnel, falling short of the 500,000 minimum troop level required under the current armistice conditions.
This shortfall leaves the country facing a deficit of 50,000 soldiers.
According to figures submitted by the Ministry of National Defense and the Military Manpower Administration to lawmaker Cho Mi-ae of the ruling Democratic Party, the military has lost 110,000 troops since 2019.
The Army has borne the brunt of this decline, leading to the disbandment or consolidation of 17 military units at the division level.
The steep drop in South Korea’s birth rate has exacerbated manpower shortages, forcing defense officials to restructure the military’s organization and capabilities to maintain operational readiness amid demographic challenges.
The downsizing highlights South Korea’s urgent need to address recruitment and retention issues as it continues to face security threats from neighboring North Korea.
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