{"id":2204255,"date":"2024-03-14T18:06:47","date_gmt":"2024-03-14T09:06:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2204255"},"modified":"2024-03-14T18:17:36","modified_gmt":"2024-03-14T09:17:36","slug":"why-conscripting-women-to-serve-in-south-koreas-military-is-a-tough-sell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/03\/why-conscripting-women-to-serve-in-south-koreas-military-is-a-tough-sell\/","title":{"rendered":"Why conscripting women to serve in South Korea\u2019s military is a tough sell"},"content":{"rendered":"
As South Korea grapples with a declining birth rate and a shrinking pool of young men available for the country\u2019s mandatory military service, New Reform Party (NRP) leader Lee Jun Seok\u2019s <\/span>proposal<\/span><\/a> to make military service mandatory for women seeking public sector roles has sparked a heated debate.<\/span><\/p>\n While the proposal aims to address the country\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Experts and former conscripts told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n PUSHING FOR FEMALE CONSCRIPTION<\/b><\/p>\n South Korea\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n A Korea Institute of Defense Analyses (KIDA) <\/span>report<\/span><\/a> predicts that, due to the country\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n 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 <\/span>2022 brief<\/span><\/a> that exempting women from military service obligations based on physical abilities \u201clacks logical grounds.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n The public appears divided on this issue. A <\/span>2023 survey<\/span><\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Lee\u2019s proposal notwithstanding, the Constitutional Court has <\/span>upheld<\/span><\/a> the constitutionality of male-only conscription, citing physical differences and international norms as justification.<\/span><\/p>\n Nevertheless, the court also suggested considering a \u201cgender-neutral conscription system or a transition to a voluntary military system\u201d in light of the country\u2019s declining birth rate and military personnel supply issues.<\/span><\/p>\n