As South Korea grapples with a declining birth rate and a shrinking pool of young men available for the country’s mandatory military service, New Reform Party (NRP) leader Lee Jun Seok’s proposal to make military service mandatory for women seeking public sector roles has sparked a heated debate.

While the proposal aims to address the country’s demographic challenges and ease the burden on male conscripts, it also highlights the deep-seated gender discrimination and inadequate facilities for women in the South Korean military.

Lee’s proposal, announced ahead of the April 10 general elections, would require women aspiring to positions in the fire service or police to complete mandatory military service by 2030. The South Korean Constitution requires only able-bodied males between 18 and 28 to serve.

Experts and former conscripts told Korea Pro that there are several structural obstacles within the ROK military that may hinder the successful implementation of such a proposal. These challenges include entrenched gender biases, insufficient support and inadequate facilities for female soldiers. Addressing these issues is crucial to ensure any sort of effective integration of women into the South Korean military.

PUSHING FOR FEMALE CONSCRIPTION

South Korea’s declining birth rate threatens to diminish the pool of young men the country has traditionally relied on for its defense, raising concerns about potential shortages in military personnel.

A Korea Institute of Defense Analyses (KIDA) report predicts that, due to the country’s shrinking population, the number of men available for military conscription will remain at 190,000 to 210,000 from 2023 to 2035 but will decrease sharply every year after 2035, falling below 120,000 by 2040.

This decline has fueled arguments that mandatory military service must also apply to women have gained traction in recent years. Dohk Goh Soon, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute of Defense Analyses (KIDA), stated in a 2022 brief that exempting women from military service obligations based on physical abilities “lacks logical grounds.”

Although Lee of NRP clarified that his proposal aims to redirect the competitive emphasis for civil service positions from academic excellence to a dedication to national service, he also predicted that imposing mandatory conscription on women could secure an additional 10,000 to 20,000 military personnel annually.

The public appears divided on this issue. A 2023 survey by Real Meter revealed that 55% of respondents opposed the introduction of female conscription, underscoring the political challenge of any change to the status quo.

Lee’s proposal notwithstanding, the Constitutional Court has upheld the constitutionality of male-only conscription, citing physical differences and international norms as justification.

Nevertheless, the court also suggested considering a “gender-neutral conscription system or a transition to a voluntary military system” in light of the country’s declining birth rate and military personnel supply issues.

Captain Hwang Hee-jeong of the 22nd Division with male personnel | Image: ROK Army Headquarters

GENDER DISCRIMINATION AND SEXUAL ASSAULT

Persistent problems within the military have exposed pressing flaws related to gender issues in recent years.

“There is clearly gender discrimination and violence occurring within the military,” women’s rights activist Ahn So-jung told Korea Pro, referencing ongoing issues such as stalking, murder and sexual violence against women.

In 2022, ROK air force sergeant Lee Ye-ram took her own life after being sexually molested by a senior officer, highlighting the systemic abuse within the armed forces and the military’s mishandling of such cases.

Ahn criticized Lee’s proposal for its failure to address these matters, stating, “He framed his proposals for mandatory military service for women as a solution to the country’s gender conflict. In reality, he only reinforced and further entrenched the dynamics of gender-based conflict.”

Lee Ye-ram’s case is not an isolated incident. The Center for Military Human Rights Korea reported in 2021 that the number of military sexual assault cases brought to trial continues to increase annually, with 58 cases in 2017, 70 in 2018, 72 in 2019 and 73 in 2020.

DIFFERING VIEWS 

Former conscripts and female officers shared varying opinions with Korea Pro regarding Lee’s proposal.

Speaking anonymously, a female military officer emphasized the need for better living conditions for women before mandating military service. She highlighted the limitations in bathroom and shower facilities at bases where she had served, noting that they were predominantly designed for male personnel.

“While I believe more women should consider serving in the military, rushing into such an important issue could exacerbate existing problems,” the officer said, stressing the need to avoid hasty decisions.

Choi Seo-kyung, a former conscript, expressed frustration regarding female conscription in South Korea. Despite acknowledging some improvements in base facilities, Choi described the challenges of adapting to the military environment, citing underdeveloped living conditions and the armed force’s male-dominated culture.

“The military’s disconnect from the outside world perpetuates outdated principles that do little to improve morale and the lives of military personnel,” Choi told Korea Pro. “I honestly think it’s quite unrealistic. It seems like Lee made his proposal just to appease his male supporters.”

However, a conscript currently serving in the South Korean army told Korea Pro that soldiers should be viewed uniformly regardless of gender. He suggested that an excessive sensitivity to gender issues could impede progress in making feasible preparations for implementing such a scheme in the long term.

“The military still lacks a mature approach to addressing this issue,” the conscript said, advocating for a more future-oriented approach to integrating women into the military.

Sergeant Lee Go-eun (left) serving as a sniper in the Gmak Mountain Battalion of the 25th Division; Capital Defense Command’s Solitary Spider Unit special task force members (center) conducting anti-terrorism training at a building complex; Staff Sergeant Yoon Mi-na (right), deployed to the 12th rotation of the Hanbit Unit in South Sudan, currently handling field construction duties in the Hanbit Unit’s engineering team | Image: ROK Army Headquarters

CAUSING FURTHER DIVISION?

Dohk of KIDA warned in her report that while implementing female conscription may initially seem like a step toward gender equality in the military, it could inadvertently reintroduce discussions about gender disparities within the armed forces.

“The complex dynamics involved in striving for gender equality in traditionally male-dominated institutions like the military make it crucial for South Korea to hold broader discussions for a more comprehensive approach to the issue at hand,” Dohk said.

“The discrepancy between the pursuit of complete gender equality and the internal conflict within the feminist movement will deepen,” she added.

Activist Ahn agreed, further emphasizing that discussions on these issues should focus on national security strategies rather than aiming to “alleviate the burden on men.” She advocated for a thorough exploration of various alternatives to address the underlying concerns.

AN ALTERNATIVE PATH

While Lee’s proposal has sparked dialogue about gender roles and national security, Yul-gok Kim, secretary general of the ROK Forum for Nuclear Strategy, proposed an alternative focused on offering military education rather than mandatory service.

“This approach aims to address security concerns while ensuring gender equality and providing adequate resources for women’s participation in national defense,” Kim told Korea Pro.

“A number of recruit training bases have closed because there simply aren’t as many military personnel as there used to be,” Kim said. “The military can utilize these installations that are no longer in use to provide military education for women.”

“It’s about militarizing the entire population, turning all citizens into assets that can be mobilized like reservists.”

Edited by John Lee