Military to undergo multicultural transformation by 2030: report

Soldiers patrol outpost in Gangwon Province on Dec. 28, 2023. Korea Times photo by Wang Tae-suk

The number of soldiers coming from a multicultural background will account for 5 percent of the nation's entire conscripts by 2030 after a notable increase since the 2009 amendment to the Military Service Act, which mandates military service for all Korean nationals, according to the report released by the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, Monday.

The report suggested that a growing number of conscripts from multicultural households could become a crucial resource in sustaining the military, helping address potential conscript shortages stemming from the country's low birthrate. It raised the need for the military to establish and implement management and support policies tailored to multicultural soldiers.

Starting from 51 in 2010, the number of conscripts from multicultural households increased to 634 in 2016 and over 1,000 in 2018, in line with a significant surge in the number of foreign nationals and multicultural households at the time.

The number is expected to reach 4,400 by 2025 and surpass 10,000 by 2030, although the entire military service's resources are forecast to decrease due to the falling birthrate, the report said, noting that the ratio of multicultural conscripts is expected to reach around 5 percent in 2030 from approximately 1 percent in 2022.

The report underscored the impact of the 2009 amendment to the Military Service Act, saying that the legislative change has facilitated the integration of soldiers from multicultural families into the armed forces.

"The current support policies for multicultural soldiers are limited to minimal welfare such as partial religious and dietary support," the report said, noting the importance of creating an inclusive environment so as to create their seamless integration into the military by broadening various forms of support.

The report advocated for a thorough assessment of Korean language proficiency and consideration of aptitude when assigning duties to multicultural soldiers. It cautioned against publicly categorizing these soldiers, citing concerns about potential discrimination.

In addition to supporting policies, the report proposed initiatives to promote diversity within the military, including facilitating religious practices and offering alternative diets.

It also suggested organizing events to foster interaction between soldiers with diverse backgrounds, adding that accommodating the needs of multicultural soldiers will emerge as a critical aspect of military policy for the nation as it prepares for future challenges.