Korea’s Demographic Crisis Has Come for Its Military
Foreign Policy
by Hawon JungFebruary 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
South Korea’s military is grappling with a severe demographic crisis, threatening its readiness to defend against threats from North Korea. With birthrates plummeting, the number of eligible male conscripts has dwindled dramatically—falling by 20% between 2019 and 2025—to just 450,000 troops, far below the 500,000 long considered necessary to deter Pyongyang. Experts warn that this decline could shrink troop numbers to as low as 300,000 by 2040, potentially destabilizing national defense.
Historically, South Korean military culture has been deeply patriarchal, with women often relegated to menial roles despite their growing presence. Female soldiers have faced systemic discrimination, such as being reassigned to desk jobs due to societal norms about gender roles. However, their ranks have grown significantly over the past decade, reaching 11% of officers today. This progress has been driven by efforts to open previously male-only roles to women
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Originally published on Foreign Policy on 2/24/2026