Defense ministry to complete new defense reform plan by June 2026

This photo, provided by the defense ministry, shows Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee attending a conference to discuss the Lee Jae Myung government's defense reform plan on Wednesday. Yonhap

The defense ministry said Wednesday it will draw up a new defense reform plan for the Lee Jae Myung administration by June next year, with a focus on incorporating cutting-edge technologies amid shrinking military personnel in the country.

A defense reform plan, first established in 2005, is designed to outline the course of the government's defense policy, ranging from its defense operations, reorganization of military structures and military culture.

The ministry announced the plan during a conference led by Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee and attended by key ministry officials, to discuss the details of the initiative earlier in the day.

During the meeting, participants shared an understanding of the need to reform the military in line with pressing challenges, including the gravity of the security environment and the declining number of military troops.

They also shared thoughts on devising a long-term plan to restructure the military based on artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technologies to make up for the manpower shortage, with the number of troops expected to fall to 65 percent of current levels by 2040.

The defense ministry plans to conduct in-depth discussions across the armed forces and receive consultations from relevant agencies, with the goal of completing the blueprint by June 2026.