SEOUL — South Korea is considering whether mandatory military service should be extended to women as part of a broader debate over gender equality and the future of the country's military manpower system.
The proposal has gained renewed attention as South Korea faces a rapidly declining population of young people eligible for military service. A recent survey cited in reports on the debate found that nearly 60 percent of South Koreans supported requiring women to complete mandatory national service.
South Korea currently requires able-bodied male citizens to complete compulsory military service, while women can join the armed forces voluntarily. Depending on the branch, mandatory service for men generally lasts between 18 and 21 months.
The debate over extending conscription to women has emerged alongside concerns about the country's shrinking pool of military-age men. According to figures attributed to South Korea's Defense Ministry, the number of men eligible for mandatory military service fell from around 332,000 in 2019 to approximately 257,000 in 2022. The number is projected to decline further to about 120,000 by 2043.
Supporters of female conscription argue that extending military obligations to women could address concerns over gender equality by ensuring that national defense responsibilities are not assigned primarily to men.
The issue has also been linked to changes in modern warfare. South Korea's military is increasingly relying on technologies such as drones, unmanned systems, cyber capabilities and information technology, potentially reducing the extent to which military roles depend solely on physical strength.
A survey conducted by the Reform Institute, the policy research arm of the conservative-leaning Reform Party, and published on August 20 found that nearly 60 percent of respondents supported changing the law to require women to perform national service, while 34 percent opposed the proposal.
Support was particularly strong among men. Nearly 65 percent of male respondents backed the idea, rising to 71.7 percent among men in their 20s and 30s. Among women, 54.5 percent supported mandatory national service.
However, the survey reflects public opinion rather than an official decision by the South Korean government.The proposal has also drawn concerns that mandatory military service could impose an additional burden on women, particularly because women in South Korea continue to carry a larger share of responsibilities related to pregnancy, childbirth and childcare.
Hyobin Lee, a professor at Sogang University in Seoul, said the debate should be considered within the broader context of gender equality and women's existing responsibilities.
According to Lee, requiring women to serve in the military could add another significant interruption to their education and careers and potentially affect decisions concerning marriage and childbirth.South Korea's demographic decline has become a major challenge for its military.
The country's government has been reviewing its defense planning amid concerns over declining troop numbers. Military Manpower Commissioner Hong So-young has described the situation as a demographic challenge requiring fundamental reforms to the country's conscription system.
Possible reforms include reviewing exemptions from military service and considering service requirements for some people who acquire South Korean nationality.
However, there has not been an official decision to introduce compulsory military service for women.Opponents argue that expanding conscription may not be the most effective way to address South Korea's military manpower problems.
Some have called for greater investment in drones, robotics, artificial intelligence and other advanced military technologies instead of expanding the number of conscripts.
Song Young-Chae, a Seoul-based academic and human rights activist who previously served in the South Korean infantry, has opposed mandatory military service for women and argued that technological modernization should receive greater attention.The discussion comes as South Korea attempts to balance national defense requirements with demographic changes and growing demands for gender equality. The government's broader review of its defense and conscription system is expected to determine how the country responds to its shrinking military-age population.
Whether women will eventually be included in compulsory military service remains unresolved.
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