Page 128 - 2020 Defence White Paper

The MND is enhancing the feasibility of such defense manpower restructuring
plan by reflecting this plan into mid-term and annual unit plans, and through these
efforts, the ROK Armed Forces is anticipated to evolve into a strong elite military
centered around skilled officers.

Expanding the Civilian Workforce in To prevent the potential loss of combat
Noncombatant Fields power due to the reduction in standing
troops and to enhance the expertise
and continuity of defense administration, the MND is expanding its civilian
workforce in noncombatant areas. Under the goal of expanding the proportion of
civilian workforce to approximately 10% of the total defense manpower by 2022
2)
(5% in 2017), approximately 6,000 civilians were added to the civilian workforce in
2019 and about 4,000 in 2020, which raised the proportion of civilian workforce to
approximately 7.8% as of 2020.
Civilians are replacing active duty personnel in noncombatant positions,
except for combat and command and control positions that must be performed by
servicemembers. Within the civilian workforce, civilian military employees will
mainly replace positions that require expertise and continuity, particularly those in
maintenance and budgeting. Civilian workers, on the other hand, will take over areas
where civilian expertise can be readily utilized, such as computation, facilities and
installations management, and languages.

Reinforcing the Manpower of In order to maintain round-the-clock combat
Current Operation Units readiness despite the reduction of standing

troops, the MND is reinforcing the man-
power of current operation units, which conduct 24-hour operational missions, such
as GOP and coast guard operations, air defense surveillance and reconnaissance, and
initial response measures. GOP and the coast guard troops have been reinforced as
the top priority in 2019, while the air defense surveillance and reconnaissance troops
were reinforced in 2020. Also, the MND will continue to reinforce counterterrorism
units and post guard personnel.

Adjusting the Quota of General In 2018, the MND selected the reduction
Officers and Rationalizing Ranks in the number of general officers as a
2) core task of Defense Reform 2.0 and
Civilian workforce is
divided into "civilian military established the "General Officer Quota Adjustment Plan" to reduce the number of
employees" and "civilian
workers" general officers from 436 at the end of 2017 to 360 by 2022. As of 2020, the number

126 2020 Defense White Paper