A Study on the Feasibility of Changing ROK Military Service System

A Study on the Feasibility of Changing ROK Military Service System

Due to the absolute shortage of future military personnel and the recent calls for defense reform, the transition of the military service system is recognized as an essential change that must be implemented at some point. Therefore, this study analyzed the cases of military service conversion in other countries, focusing on the social environment, security environment, and the size of military resources, to evaluate the possibility of conversion to a new military service system that has been raised in South Korean society recently. To do so, we first analyzed the current situation of the South Korean military and presented the advantages and disadvantages of the hybrid system and the volunteer system as possible future military service systems. Next, we covered issues related to the transition of the military service system from the demographic, economic, and socio-political dimensions and suggested ways to improve the Korean military service system.