South Korean defense chief calls for swift military reforms

South Korea needs to reform its armed forces and expand the use of artificial intelligence technologies to better prepare for potential future conflicts and address personnel shortages, country's Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said during a seminar dedicated to a military reform plan extending through 2040.

"We are living in a period that requires fundamental changes to proactively respond to the complex security environment and the evolving nature of warfare," Ahn said.

According to Yonhap, cited by Report, Seoul is seeking to strengthen its preparedness against growing threats from North Korea while also addressing a declining pool of citizens eligible for mandatory military service.

Under the reform plan, the Defense Ministry intends to expand the use of manned-unmanned teaming combat systems, including drones and robotic platforms, amid a shrinking population of military-age men.

To advance the initiative, the ministry established a dedicated task force in September 2025. Final details of the armed forces reform program are expected to be approved by next month.