South Korea Debates Urgent Reform Of Military Conscription

On October 20, 2025, the South Korean National Assembly became the stage for an urgent and wide-ranging debate over the future of the nation's military conscription system. Kim Byung-ki, floor leader of the Democratic Party, took center stage, voicing deep concerns about the rapid decline in the number of men serving in the military and calling for a thorough overhaul of the conscription process. The numbers he cited were stark: in 2019, there were 560,000 conscripts in the armed forces, but by July 2025, that figure had plummeted to 450,000. That’s a drop of about 110,000 in just six years—a trend Kim argued could threaten the foundations of South Korea’s national security.

"Our military had 560,000 personnel in 2019, but by July 2025, it’s just 450,000. Over the past six years, the number has dropped by 110,000. If we’re not careful, the nation’s security could be shaken," Kim wrote on his Facebook page, as reported by Joongang Newspaper. He didn’t mince words about the stakes, warning that even the most advanced weapons systems are ultimately operated by people, not machines. "No matter how much we invest in weapons systems, it’s people who run them. We must secure an adequate number of personnel," he insisted.

The urgency of the situation was underscored during a special committee meeting on military service reform at the National Assembly in Seoul. According to Hankook Ilbo, Kim Byung-ki led the session, which gathered between 14 and 26 witnesses, to dissect the current state of conscription and brainstorm solutions. He described the re-examination of the conscription system as not just a bureaucratic exercise, but a constitutional and national imperative. "Conscription is a national duty," Kim said, emphasizing that any reforms must be approached with fairness and transparency, and that the exemption system should never be abused.

Kim’s remarks reflected a broader anxiety about demographic trends and fairness in military service. He noted that about 40 million South Koreans are technically eligible for military duty, but the system’s effectiveness hinges on its credibility and the public’s trust. The exemption system, Kim argued, is a social contract that must not be manipulated for personal gain. "The exemption system should not be abused," he declared, calling for a responsible and transparent approach to military service policy.

One of the most controversial aspects of the debate centered on how to replenish the ranks. Kim floated several proposals, including the possibility of converting around 4,000 reservists to active duty, and even examining whether North Korean defectors and naturalized citizens could be eligible for military service. "We need to secure as many physically fit individuals for active duty as possible," he said, according to Joongang Newspaper. He also suggested raising the age limit for conscription, arguing that it shouldn’t be possible for so-called "black-haired foreigners"—a term sometimes used for ethnic Koreans who have acquired foreign citizenship—to live freely in South Korea without fulfilling their military obligations.

The political implications of these discussions were not lost on the participants. Kim Byung-ki called for a public discussion on conscription, urging both the government and the ruling party to work together to find a solution. "The system needs to be transparent and fair," he said, as reported by Business Post. Kim also announced that another meeting on military service reform would be held the following day, October 21, 2025, signaling that the issue would remain a top priority for the Democratic Party.

But the debate over conscription didn’t unfold in a vacuum. It was part of a broader push by the Democratic Party to reform key institutions. On the same day, party leader Jeong Cheong-rae unveiled a sweeping judicial reform bill, which included proposals to increase the number of Supreme Court justices from 14 to 26 over three years and expand the scope of appeals to include constitutional review—a move that would effectively introduce a fourth tier of judicial scrutiny. The opposition was quick to criticize these plans, accusing the Democratic Party of trying to exert undue influence over the judiciary. Yet, as Hankook Ilbo reported, the party leadership insisted that the reforms were necessary to ensure the protection of constitutional rights and to provide better remedies for citizens.

Returning to the conscription issue, Kim Byung-ki stressed that any changes to the system must be carefully considered and implemented with a steady hand. "The reform should be done carefully and responsibly," he said, echoing the need for a balanced approach. The Democratic Party, he noted, was committed to thoroughly reviewing the military service system and ensuring that it adapts to the changing needs of society while upholding the principles of fairness and duty.

Of course, the conscription debate also touched on broader themes of national identity and civic responsibility. Kim Byung-ki reminded lawmakers that strong national defense is the bedrock of the nation’s recovery and prosperity. "A robust national defense is the foundation for the recovery of people’s livelihoods. There must be no gaps in our security," he wrote, pledging to pay close attention not just to military administration, but to the entire field of national defense.

The discussions in the National Assembly reflected the complexities of maintaining a conscript military in a rapidly aging society. With fewer young people available for service, policymakers are being forced to confront difficult questions: Should the criteria for service be broadened? Should exemptions be tightened? How can the burden of service be distributed more fairly?

While the answers to these questions remain up for debate, what’s clear is that the status quo is no longer tenable. The sharp decline in conscript numbers, coupled with mounting concerns about fairness and transparency, has made reform not just desirable, but necessary. As Kim Byung-ki and his colleagues continue their deliberations, the eyes of the nation are watching closely—aware that the decisions made now will shape South Korea’s security and social fabric for years to come.

As the National Assembly moves forward with its review, the challenge will be to strike a balance between tradition and innovation, between individual rights and collective responsibility. The debate is far from over, but one thing is certain: the future of South Korea’s conscription system is now firmly in the national spotlight.