Page 127 - 2020 Defence White Paper

The number of standing troops was 618,000 in 2017; as of 2020, however, it has
been reduced to 555,000 through deactivation of various units and organizational
streamlining. The total number is expected to be reduced to 500,000 by the end
of 2022, and the reduction plan is shown in [Chart 4-5]. Moreover, the military
structure has been converted from a troop-intensive type to an advanced weapons-
based technology-intensive type, and the combat power will in fact be strengthened
as a result despite the reduction of the standing troops by priming the manpower
structure into an elite force centered around seasoned officers instead of soldiers.

2. Reorganizing the Defense Manpower Structure Focused on Chapter 4
Operation and Combat

Redesigning the Defense Since the promotion of Defense Reform in 2006,
Manpower Structure the ROK Armed Forces has reduced the number
of standing troops and augmented officers, mainly
NCOs, in positions that require proficiency and expertise. Recruiting military
1)
officers, however, is expected to face challenges in the future because of the
forecasted decline in young adult population and unemployment rate in the mid-to
long-term. Also, a countermeasure needs to be in place to prevent the loss of combat
power caused by the reduction of standing troops and the shorter period of
mandatory military service. Accordingly, the MND has refined the existing
manpower restructuring plan that focused on increasing the number of officers and

designed a defense manpower concept that incorporates all servicemembers–civilian
military employees, and other types of civilian workers–and formulated the
"Defense Manpower Structure Reorganization Plan" that would efficiently reposition
the defense manpower.
Based on this, first, the manpower quota will be redesigned by service, status,
and rank in line with the unit structure and size of troops according to the Defense
Reform 2.0; second, noncombatant areas will be managed by the civilian workforce,
such as civilian military employees, while servicemembers will be mainly assigned
to operations and combat positions; and third, the rank structure of officers and
NCOs will be transformed from the inefficient pyramid shape of "large-scale 1)
Compared to 682,000
acquisition and short-term utilization of officers" to a pot shape of "small-scale at the end of 2005, the
number of standing troops
acquisition and long-term utilization of officers", taking into consideration the future was reduced by 127,000 to
555,000 at the end of 2020,
prospect of recruiting junior officers, employment of high-tech weapons, and the while the number of NCOs
was increased by 32,000
necessity to secure proficient combat power. from 97,000 to 129,000

Chapter 4. Building an Innovative Force by Promoting Strong Defense Reform 125