The Navy has been test running a group of vessels without conscripted sailors to determine if they can be operated by only officers and non-commissioned officers, an official said Friday, amid concerns of troop shortages due to South Korea’s chronic low birth rate.
The Navy has mobilized six warships, including an Incheon-class frigate, for the trial run since last year, with more officers and non-commissioned officers being deployed to the vessels than usual to conduct conscript duties, according to the official.
The pilot program comes as the Navy has recently faced difficulties in recruiting new sailors, while concerns have mounted over potentially worsening troop shortages amid a continued decline in new births.
In South Korea, all-able bodied men are required to serve at least 18 months in the military, with those carrying out their mandatory duty in the Navy having to serve 20 months.
The Navy, however, has recently been unpopular among young men, with its enlistment rate dropping from 100.5 percen
t in 2020 to 70.1 percent in 2022, compared with the military’s overall rate declining from 96.9 percent to 84.7 percent over the same period.
Observers have pointed to the restrictive working conditions at sea, such as being barred from using personal phones.
The country’s declining total fertility rate has further increased concerns of troop shortages, with the average number of expected births coming to 0.72 last year, much lower than the replacement level of 2.1 that would keep South Korea’s population stable at 51 million.
“The Navy is currently conducting a pilot program for warships to be completely operated by officers and non-commissioned officers to address the issue of reduced military personnel resources and to secure expertise in warship operations,” the Navy official said.
“The operation’s expansion will be considered based on the results of the trial run.”
Source: Yonhap News Agency