The Republic of Korea armed forces initiated on May 1 the disbandment of the 8th Army Corps, which will transfer its subordinate military units to the 3rd Army Corps and is set to be officially disbanded at the end of next month. This action was taken as a component of Defense Reform 2.0, implemented by the Moon Jae-in administration in response to the decrease in the number of adult men available for conscription due to South Korea’s declining population. The disbandment was initially scheduled for 2021 but was postponed following an incident in February of that year in which a North Korean man defected to South Korea undetected by border guards.

The disbandment of the 8th Army Corps comes after the merger of the 6th Army Corps with the 5th in December last year. Unit restructuring under Defense Reform 2.0 is set to be completed with the disbandment of the 28th Infantry Division in 2025. A ROK Army spokesperson addressed concerns, stating that military strength has not been reduced and that personnel and equipment from disbanded units will be transferred to other units, ensuring no impact on military vigilance or readiness.