⚠️ South Korean Military Faces Lowest Troop Numbers in 6 Years
South Korea’s military manpower has dropped sharply over the past six years, falling below the minimum force level needed for national defense. As of July 2025, the total number of active-duty troops stands at 450,000, about 50,000 fewer than the 500,000 minimum considered necessary during the current armistice.
📉 110,000 Troops Lost Since 2019
According to data submitted by the Ministry of National Defense and the Military Manpower Administration, troop strength has dropped from 563,000 in 2019 to 450,000 in July 2025 — a decline of 113,000. The Ministry warns that continued reductions could hinder recruitment of qualified personnel and the operation of military equipment.
🪖 Sharpest Decline in the Army
- Army total: 429,000 → 324,000
- Army enlisted soldiers: 303,000 → 205,000 (down nearly 100,000)
- Navy: down 1,000
- Air Force: down 4,000
- Marine Corps: down 2,000
This drop has already led to mergers and disbandments of division-level units, from 59 in 2006 to just 42 today. In November 2025, the 28th Infantry Division in Dongducheon will be dissolved.
📊 Declining Recruitment Rates
Officer and NCO recruitment rates have plummeted:
- Overall officer/NCO recruitment: 94.1% (2019) → 64.9% (2024)
- NCO recruitment: 93.5% → 51.2%
Although the military loosened physical requirements for active-duty enlistment, the number of eligible recruits has collapsed. Active-duty conscripts numbered 236,000 in 2020, but only 101,000 in 2025.
🇰🇷 What’s Next?
The Defense Ministry attributes the manpower shortage to:
- South Korea’s low birth rate and declining population
- Better working conditions in other sectors, making military careers less appealing
- Reduced pool of eligible male conscripts
To counter the trend, the military is considering expanding civilian roles in non-combat sectors and retaining more career officers and NCOs for longer service periods.
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