South Korea maintains a compulsory military service system due to the unique ceasefire situation with North Korea. There have been calls to switch to a voluntary military service system, but this is unlikely to happen due to military confrontation with North Korea, budget shortfalls, and a declining military force.
Proponents of the transition to a volunteer military often cite examples from countries such as the United States and Japan to emphasize the effectiveness of a volunteer military. However, the security situation in these countries and South Korea is fundamentally different. The United States has one of the most powerful militaries in the world and does not have to contemplate a large-scale ground war on its own soil. The United States also relies on close military cooperation with many allies to manage a wide range of security threats. Japan also has a constitutional self-defense force and faces relatively few direct military threats. South Korea, on the other hand, faces a constant military threat from North Korea, reflecting its need to maintain a self-sufficient defense system.
Furthermore, the transition to a volunteer military inevitably involves economic incentives to entice soldiers to participate. This will require significant budgetary expenditures in several areas, including soldiers’ salaries, welfare, housing, and education. Currently, South Korea’s defense budget is already a significant portion of its budget, and the transition to a volunteer military will require a significant portion of this budget to be devoted to personnel management. Furthermore, the nature of the military means that if the number of volunteers is low, it may be difficult to fill certain units or missions. This could weaken the country’s military response capabilities and, in the long run, delay response times to security threats.
Proponents of a transition to a volunteer military also emphasize individual freedom and choice. They argue that compulsory military service violates an individual’s fundamental right to liberty. However, states have the right to restrict certain levels of personal freedom in order to protect the lives and safety of their citizens. These restrictions are especially justified in special circumstances, such as war or national emergencies. South Korea is still at war with North Korea, and there is a risk that the conflict could escalate to all-out war at any time. Under these special circumstances, enforcing military service is a necessary option for national security.
On the other hand, many of the problems associated with compulsory military service cannot be solved by transitioning to a volunteer military, but rather by improving military culture, protecting human rights, and strengthening institutions. For example, the issue of violence in the military is already being addressed by the military through stricter penalties and preventative measures. In recent years, human rights issues in the military have received increased attention, and various policies have been implemented to ensure the welfare and rights of soldiers. Improving barracks living conditions, establishing military human rights centers, and strengthening psychological counseling programs have helped alleviate mental and physical hardships.
Furthermore, the issue of injustice and violence in the military can be addressed independently of the transition to a volunteer military. Even in an army made up of career soldiers, there are still conflicts that can arise from power relations and interpersonal relationships in the workplace. What matters is how thoroughly the system is run and how quickly and strictly it responds to problems. Human rights protection and violence prevention within the military can be achieved through fundamental improvements in the organizational culture of the military rather than institutional changes.
In conclusion, there are many practical constraints to South Korea’s transition to a volunteer military. The national security situation, the state of confrontation with North Korea, and the economic burden are all reasons to maintain the current system of forced enlistment rather than a volunteer military. While the current military service system is far from perfect, there are many problems in the military that can be addressed through institutional improvements, and a transition to a volunteer military would have limited effectiveness in addressing long-term security threats and would risk reducing military strength in the short term.
Therefore, South Korea should continue to maintain the current military service system, while simultaneously improving problems in the military barracks and ensuring the rights and interests of soldiers. It is time to recognize that certain personal sacrifices are inevitable to protect people’s lives and national security, and to remind ourselves that military service is not a mere compulsion but an important duty for the nation.
