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Korea’s Demographic Crisis Has Come for Its Military

South Korea’s shrinking birthrate—down to 0.75 children per woman—has cut the pool of eligible male conscripts, driving a 20% drop in active‑duty troops from 560,000 in 2019 to 450,000 in 2025. The Defense Ministry projects the force could shrink to roughly 300,000 by 2040 if no reforms occur. In response, the government is accelerating the integration of women, aiming to raise female officers from 11% to 15.3% by 2027 and sparking debate over mandatory female conscription. The issue intertwines national security, gender equality, and deep‑seated cultural resistance.