Home > National > Defense

Defense minister urges military reform due to changes in demography and warfare trends

Published: 08 Apr. 2026, 15:51

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back attends a plenary session of the parliamentary defense committee at the National Assembly building in Yeouido, western Seoul, on March 17. [YONHAP]

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back has underscored the need to revamp the armed forces' structure, such as by adopting a selective conscription system, amid a rapidly aging population and evolving warfare trends.

Ahn's remarks came as South Korea braces for a drastic population decline, which will reduce military manpower in a country where all able-bodied men are mandated to serve at least 18 months.

“New warfare trends are expanding, with asymmetric trends, in which cheap drones neutralize high-priced weapons built with cutting technology, are becoming the norm,” Ahn told defense press corps reporters late on Tuesday.

“At the same time, a demographic cliff, which has often been talked about, will soon become a reality for our security.”

Against such a backdrop, Ahn floated the idea of a selective conscription system, in which conscripts can choose whether to serve the usual mandatory military service or serve up to 5 years as a skilled noncommissioned officer specializing in technology.

The defense chief's remarks came after President Lee Jae Myung recently mentioned the selective conscription system during a meeting with military leaders and urged the armed forces to speed up reform efforts to prepare for future battlefields.

Korean soldiers seen at an Army camp. [YONHAP]

While stressing that the envisioned system does not allow potential conscripts to opt out of military service, Ahn emphasized he aims to draw up some 50,000 noncommissioned officers under such a system and support their employment after completing military service.

As part of wider efforts to tackle demographic changes, Ahn announced the Ministry of National Defense also seeks to reduce the number of troops deployed to border units by introducing surveillance systems equipped with artificial intelligence and outsourcing rear and coastal surveillance functions to the Coast Guard and the civilian sector.

Meanwhile, when asked about the possible restoration of a suspended inter-Korean pact aimed at easing military tensions, Ahn explained the ministry will handle the agenda “in accordance with changing circumstances.”

The pact was signed in September 2018 under the liberal administration of former President Moon Jae-in and was primarily aimed at halting provocative military actions by both sides along the tense inter-Korean border.

North Korea carries out a firepower strike drill involving 600-millimeter ultraprecision multiple rocket launchers on March 14 in this photo published by the Korean Central News Agency the following day. [YONHAP]

In response to the North's launch of a military reconnaissance satellite in 2023, the Yoon Suk Yeol administration partially suspended the pact before halting it completely in June 2024, citing provocations from Pyongyang. The North has also renounced the pact.

“Moves to ease regulations in aerial space have somewhat faltered amid inter-Korean tensions,” Ahn said.

“But I believe the appropriate attitude should be for the one with more power to first hold out its hand for a peaceful mood on the Korean Peninsula. [...] We plan to take various measures in accordance with changing circumstances.”

Mentioning his recent meetings with U.S. Congressional delegations visiting South Korea, Ahn stated that he requested their support, as South Korea seeks to accelerate efforts to develop its envisioned nuclear-powered submarine.

Working-level talks between the two sides may take place as early as April, according to the Defense Ministry.

Yonhap