Standing Military Forces to be Reduced by 80,000 by 2022

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] The Ministry of National Defense announced that it has reduced the standing forces by 39,000 personnel, maintaining the current number at 579,000, and plans to further reduce 79,000 personnel by 2022. After 2022, the standing forces will be maintained at 500,000.

On the 10th, at the 'First Half Defense Reform Promotion Evaluation Meeting' chaired by Minister Jeong Kyeong-du, the Ministry reported that it has reduced the standing forces by 39,000 personnel, maintaining the current number at 579,000, and plans to further reduce 79,000 personnel by 2022.

It also reported that it complied with the general officer quota adjustment plan, reducing 31 officers last year out of the planned 76, and plans to reduce 15 officers annually until 2022.

As an achievement of Defense Reform 2.0, the Ministry explained, "We have established the concept of a nuclear and WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) response system to secure strategic deterrence capability, and laid the foundation for the development of a future command structure led by the Republic of Korea Armed Forces based on the ROK-U.S. alliance," adding, "We are preparing the organization and development plan for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the future combined command in preparation for the wartime operational control transfer."

It continued, "Based on jointness and to demonstrate efficient combat capability, each service has completed 37% of unit reorganization compared to the plan," emphasizing, "Based on the dramatically increased defense capability improvement funds, we are proceeding with force modernization at the level of 30-43% by domain according to the 2019-2023 and 2020-2024 mid-term plans, steadily reorganizing into a 'capability-based and advanced science and technology-centered force structure.'"

The Ministry stated, "To restructure the defense personnel into an operation and combat-centered structure, we have reinforced about 3,000 combat troops in current operational units and are converting the officer quota structure into a jar-shaped structure," adding, "To utilize active-duty soldiers in non-combat fields within combat units, we have increased civilian personnel by 12,000."

It also explained, "To enhance the readiness of reserve forces, we are expanding the existing five scientific reserve training centers by adding nine more, and this year we are promoting the establishment of a video simulation shooting system applying virtual reality (VR)," adding, "We are pushing for a 94% increase in mobilization training compensation to 81,500 won next year."

The Ministry of National Defense stated, "Once the COVID-19 situation stabilizes, we will evaluate the actual progress of reform through on-site inspections of defense reform," and explained, "We will also systematically develop the future military structure from a long-term perspective to prepare for changes in the future security environment, such as the second demographic cliff in the mid-2030s and the advancement of advanced science and technology."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.