Conscription or volunteer army: Presidential hopefuls revive military reform debate

Reservists receive training at the Suwon, Hwaseong, Osan Science Reserve Forces Training Center of the Army's 51st Infantry Division in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, March 6. Yonhap

With Korea’s June 3 snap presidential election approaching, military reform is once again emerging as a central campaign issue.

Leading candidates have rolled out proposals ranging from selective conscription to a fully volunteer military, with some even calling for gender-inclusive service. While many frame these ideas as necessary responses to Korea’s shrinking population and the evolving nature of warfare, others view them as familiar campaign promises, recycled to appeal to politically disillusioned young voters.

As the debate intensifies, experts remain divided on both the practicality and sincerity of these proposals — thrusting the future of Korea’s conscription system back into the national spotlight.

Old debate, new urgency

Military service reform surfaces in nearly every Korean election cycle, but rarely results in lasting policy change.

“We’ve seen this before,” said Hong Hee-jin, leader of the Progressive Youth Party. “'Women's conscription' or 'equal duty' trends every few years, but rarely leads to meaningful change. What we need is not more conscripts, but a gender-equitable volunteer system and a lasting peace framework for the Korean Peninsula.”

This election cycle, Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) frontrunner Rep. Lee Jae-myung has reignited the debate by proposing what he calls a “selective volunteer system.” Under his plan, conscripts would be allowed to choose between standard military service and specialized technical roles. Lee argues that modern warfare prioritizes expertise over sheer numbers, calling for a smaller draft pool supported by a stronger corps of noncommissioned officers and technical specialists. His proposal also includes incentives linked to Korea’s growing defense industry, with opportunities in fields such as cyber operations, drone units and missile development.

Lee’s rival, Gyeonggi Province Gov. Kim Dong-yeon, takes the idea a step further.

He has pledged to transition to a fully volunteer military by 2035, with all positions open to every gender. His platform includes career guarantees for professional soldiers and public-sector incentives for veterans. Kim presents his plan not only as a bold step in defense reform but also as a youth employment initiative, projecting that it could create up to 80,000 new jobs.

On the conservative side, former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, a People Power Party (PPP) candidate, has called for expanding voluntary enlistment to include women and reinstating a military service bonus system. Emphasizing fairness and merit-based incentives, he aims to appeal to conservative voters wary of sweeping structural changes. He also proposes higher salaries and housing subsidies to attract elite recruits, arguing that a leaner, professional force could enhance both efficiency and morale.

Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo and former Justice Minister and PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, who both advanced in the party primary, have yet to outline detailed reform plans. Meanwhile, former South Gyeongsang Province Gov. Kim Kyoung-soo, also running as a presidential contender from the DPK, has proposed the immediate implementation of a hybrid conscription system that combines mandatory and voluntary service.

He aims to reduce standing troop levels gradually to 350,000 from around 480,000 and fill the gap through volunteer recruitment. In response to questions about expanding the volunteer force to include women, Kim said such a step would require broad public discussion, but emphasized that the mixed model is immediately feasible.

Still, Han has emphasized the need for what he described as a "technology-centered and compact" military, while Ahn has suggested aligning military reform with Korea’s broader digital strategy, though without offering specific details.

From left, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential primary candidates Lee Jae-myung, Kim Kyoung-soo and Kim Dong-yeon attend a joint speech event at Cheongju Gymnasium in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, April 19. Yonhap

Shrinking numbers, shifting perceptions

These proposals are emerging amid a steep population decline. A report by the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA) released in 2024 estimates that the pool of draft-eligible men will drop by over 30 percent in the next decade. This trend calls into question the long-term viability of Korea’s traditional conscription model.

“This is no longer theoretical,” said Lee In-goo, director of military facility planning at the Ministry of National Defense and co-author of the KIDA report. “The military is already being forced to adapt. The real issue is how we manage that transition.”

Lee and co-author Lee Soo-jin recommend a gradual shift to voluntary enlistment, paired with financial incentives and efforts to reshape public perceptions of military service. Their recommendations also include expanding civilian and reservist roles in national defense to address manpower shortages.

Gender equity remains a contentious point. A study by Chosun University professor Kim Dong-hoon released in 2024 found that public discussion around women in the military has moved from fringe opinion to legitimate policy debate. Yet public resistance to the idea remains strong.

Hong Hee-jin suggests reframing the debate. “We can’t solve a complex social equation with a simplistic answer,” she said. “Military service shouldn’t define citizenship. True equity means enabling anyone — regardless of gender — to serve with dignity and be valued.”

She added that calls for drafting women often reflect broader frustrations among young men seeking fairness and recognition.

“A better system requires redefining civic contribution — not simply expanding who bears the burden,” she said.

From left, People Power Party presidential primary candidates Kim Moon-soo, Ahn Cheol-soo, Han Dong-hoon and Hong Joon-pyo applaud during the media day for the party's second primary debate at its central headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

Lessons from abroad, limits at home

Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Norway are often cited as successful examples of gender-neutral conscription. However, a 2022 report by the National Assembly Research Service, titled "Comparative Analysis of Conscription and Volunteer Systems in Europe," cautions against direct comparisons. It notes that these countries implemented such reforms only after achieving significant gender equality across society. Korea, however, must tailor its defense planning to the country’s unique institutional structures, cultural context and security environment.

The report highlights that several European nations — including Sweden and Lithuania — have reinstated conscription after struggling to meet manpower needs under volunteer systems. Others, such as Germany and France, are reconsidering mandatory service amid rising geopolitical tensions, framing it as a tool to foster civic responsibility.

With less than two months to go before the election, it remains unclear whether military reform pledges will significantly influence voter behavior. Still, Korea’s shrinking population and changing security landscape make it clear that the country needs a more resilient and forward-looking defense strategy.

“We need a system that ensures security, upholds fairness, and reflects our societal values,” Kim Dong-hoon said. “No slogan will be enough to achieve that.”

The next administration will be under growing pressure to move past symbolic pledges and confront the practical challenges of troop shortages, modernization and restoring public trust in the military. The way it responds may set the tone for Korea’s military strategy in the years ahead.

Cadets conduct tactical movements during the commissioning evaluation for bachelor's and female officer candidates at the Korea Army Cadet Military School in Goesan County, North Chungcheong Province, May 16, 2012. Korea Times photo by Kim Joo-young