South Korea’s military shrinks 20% in six years, faces 50,000-troop shortage amid record-low birth rate

South Korea’s military shrinks 20% in six years, faces 50,000-troop shortage amid record-low birth rate

South Korea’s active-duty military has shrunk by 20% over the past six years to 450,000 troops, a defence ministry report revealed. The decline, driven by the world’s lowest birth rate and a shrinking pool of eligible males for mandatory service, has left the armed forces 50,000 troops short of optimal readiness

Members of the military take part in a military parade to mark the 76th anniversary of the armed forces day in Seoul, South Korea. File image/ Reuters, October 1, 2024. REUTERS/Kim Soo-hyeon/File Phoo