Page 120 - 2018 Defense White Paper

Section 2 Reducing Standing Troops and

Restructuring the Defense

Manpower Structure

The MND will gradually reduce the number of standing troops to 500,000 by 2022 and shorten the service
period to 18 months in line with changes in the future strategic environment and unit restructuring plans. To
prevent the decline in combat power due to fewer troops and a shorter service period, military personnel
working in noncombat fields will be transferred to combat units, and those noncombat positions will be filled
with civilian workforce. With the military personnel transferred to combat units being organized to essential
combat positions, the actual combat power will be bolstered despite the reduction of standing troops.

1. Reducing the Number of Standing Troops to 500,000

The MND plans to gradually reduce the number of standing troops to 500,000 by 2022 in
connection with the future strategic environment, military strategies, unit restructuring plans,

and available military service resources, which also takes into account the outlook for military
manpower supply. The number of troops belonging to the Army will be reduced to around
365,000, and those of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force will be maintained. In terms of

standing troops, in pursuance of the technology-intensive advanced military strength structure,
the troop structure will become elite-focused, led by off icers instead of soldiers. Those working
in noncombat f ields will be replaced by a civilian workforce, and active-duty personnel will be

transferred to combat units to reinforce combat troops. Moreover, the f ielding of advanced
weapons and equipment will help strengthen combat capabilities despite the reduction of troops.
The standing troop reduction plan is shown in [Chart 4-5].

118 Chapter 4 Building Elite Armed Forces Using Advanced Technology