Defense minister pushes military overhaul to address troop shortage

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back speaks during a press dinner with reporters at the Defense Convention Center in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of the Ministry of National Defense

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Tuesday the government will push ahead with a broad restructuring of the military to address a looming manpower shortage driven by the country's declining birthrate.

Speaking at a press dinner in Seoul, Ahn said the Ministry of National Defense is redesigning the military’s force, unit and personnel structures as part of a comprehensive reform package.

“The demographic cliff is no longer a distant concern. It is becoming a reality for our national security,” he said.

The reform plan is expected to be finalized later this year, following a defense reform seminar and Cabinet review, with presidential approval targeted for the third or fourth quarter.

Ahn cited rapid changes in modern warfare as another key factor behind the overhaul. “We are seeing a shift toward asymmetric warfare, where low-cost drones can neutralize expensive advanced weapons,” he said.

He also used demographic data to illustrate the scale of the challenge. According to Ahn, the number of newborns in 2023 stood at about 118,000. Under the current conscription system, this would translate into around 160,000 conscripts in the coming years, down sharply from 220,000 as of 2025.

In response, the ministry plans to introduce a “selective recruitment system,” while maintaining the existing conscription framework. The system would allow conscripts to transition into technical noncommissioned officer roles during their service.

“This is not about abandoning conscription,” Ahn said. “It is about creating a pathway for soldiers to become professional noncommissioned officers, particularly in technology-intensive fields.”

The ministry aims to secure around 50,000 such personnel capable of operating advanced weapons systems and transitioning into civilian careers, creating what Ahn described as a “virtuous cycle” between the military and industry.

The military plans to reduce the number of troops assigned to front-line guard duty and rely more on artificial intelligence-based surveillance systems and mobile response units. It will also outsource more rear-area base security to the private sector and shift coastal surveillance to the Coast Guard.

Ahn emphasized that improving conditions for junior officers is essential for sustaining the force. “A military career is not just another job. It is a public duty that involves risking one’s life for the country,” he said.

The ministry is working with fiscal authorities to raise pay and benefits to levels comparable to or above those offered by mid-sized companies. Annual salaries for staff sergeants are expected to reach around 40 million won ($27,000) while senior noncommissioned officers could earn between 60 million and 70 million won.

The minister also addressed ongoing discussions with the United States over nuclear-powered submarines. “The U.S. side appears to be eager to move forward quickly on this issue,” Ahn said, adding that a related meeting is expected to take place later this month.

He noted that Korea plans to build the submarine hull domestically while receiving nuclear fuel support from the U.S., a model he said differs from arrangements such as AUKUS, a trilateral security pact between the U.S., the United Kingdom and Australia.