The number of operational sergeants has decreased by 36.5% over the past four years, raising alarms about the recruitment of junior non-commissioned officers, according to a report submitted to the National Assembly's Defense Committee by Min Hong-cheol, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party.
Data shows that the average number of operational sergeants, including those on fixed-term contracts, fell from approximately 43,000 in 2021 to about 27,300 in 2025, a decline of 15,700.
During the same period, the combined number of operational junior officers, including second lieutenants and first lieutenants, dropped by 28.3%, from around 63,600 to 45,600. Notably, 87.2% of the total decrease in personnel was concentrated among sergeants, while the reduction rate for junior officers was lower at 11.2%.
The recruitment rate for non-commissioned officers has also shown a downward trend. The recruitment rate, which was 91.5% in 2021, fell to 86.0% in 2022, and further declined to 55.1% in 2023 and 50.1% in 2024. Although it rebounded to 61.0% last year, it remains 30.5 percentage points lower than in 2021.
In contrast, the number of sergeants leaving the service decreased from about 5,990 in 2021 to 3,370 in 2025.
The ratio of personnel leaving the service compared to the average operational strength also declined from 14% in 2021 to 12% in 2025. This suggests that the primary cause of the decrease in sergeants is not the loss of existing personnel but rather a lack of new recruits.
Meanwhile, the monthly base salary for sergeants has increased significantly, rising from 608,500 won in 2021 to 1.5 million won in 2026, a 146.5% increase. In comparison, the base salary for first-grade sergeants rose by 27.1%, from 1,678,100 won to 2,133,000 won during the same period.
As soldiers' base salaries rise rapidly, the relatively modest increase in compensation for junior non-commissioned officers may diminish the appeal of the role, which comes with greater responsibilities and workload.
However, when comparing actual compensation levels, it is essential to consider not only base salaries but also various allowances and working conditions.
According to Yonhap News, Min emphasized that a continued shortage of non-commissioned officers could disrupt field command capabilities and combat readiness, urging improvements in compensation, working conditions, and long-term service opportunities to address the recruitment challenges for junior officers.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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