(Yonhap Interview) 'Fundamental' overhaul of military service system vital for nat'l security: MMA chief

Seoul, August 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's military manpower agency head, Hong So-young, has stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of the country's military service system to ensure national security and survival, amid a shrinking pool of conscripts due to demographic changes. In an interview with Yonhap News Agency, Hong emphasized that this fundamental reform is not merely a choice but an indispensable task for South Korea's future.

The MMA oversees conscription, which mandates 18 to 21 months of military service for all able-bodied men, primarily to counteract a potential threat from North Korea. However, a declining birthrate has led to a significant shortage of conscripts, with the number of eligible men in their 20s dropping from 371,000 in 2015 to around 224,000 in 2025.

To address this, the government is in the final stages of reviewing reforms to the alternative military service system, which accounts for about 10% of all conscripts. Hong highlighted that crafting measures that gain broad public consensus and trust is crucial, given the system's direct impact on the younger generation. The government is also considering allowing those in non-combat roles to apply for full-time reserve positions, a change that could help alleviate the conscript shortage.

Additionally, the MMA is reviewing the exemptions granted to North Korean defectors and naturalized citizens, aiming to ensure a fair and equitable implementation of the military service system.