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Defense chief says plan to cut border unit troops to be executed 'gradually' by 2040 | Yonhap News Agency
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Summary
OK SEOUL, April 9 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Thursday that his ministry plans to reduce the number of troops deployed to border units "gradually" by 2040, dismissing concerns about a sharp cut in such personnel in a short period of time. Earlier this week, Ahn told reporters that the defense ministry plans to cut the number of troops deployed at general outposts near the inter-Korean border to some 6,000 from the current 22,000 by replacing them with surveillance systems equipped with artificial intelligence technology. His remarks spawned concerns that the number of troops at border units could be sharply reduced in a short period of time, causing a possible vacuum in the military's surveillance capabilities. "(The planned reduction in troops) was a goal to be executed by the year 2040 after phased review," Ahn wrote in a Facebook post. "(The plan) should not be translated with the same alarm that suggests (our) troops are shrinking tomorrow," he said. Korea, U.S. to begin joint Freedom Flag air drills this week Most Viewed More prev Defense chief says plan to cut border unit troops to be executed 'gradually' by 2040 Next Defense chief says plan to cut border unit troops to be executed 'gradually' by 2040
## Summary
OK SEOUL, April 9 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Thursday that his ministry plans to reduce the number of troops deployed to border units "gradually" by 2040, dismissing concerns about a sharp cut in such personnel in a short period of time. Earlier this week, Ahn told reporters that the defense ministry plans to cut the number of troops deployed at general outposts near the inter-Korean border to some 6,000 from the current 22,000 by replacing them with surveillance systems equipped with artificial intelligence technology. His remarks spawned concerns that the number of troops at border units could be sharply reduced in a short period of time, causing a possible vacuum in the military's surveillance capabilities. "(The planned reduction in troops) was a goal to be executed by the year 2040 after phased review," Ahn wrote in a Facebook post. "(The plan) should not be translated with the same alarm that suggests (our) troops are shrinking tomorrow," he said. Korea, U.S. to begin joint Freedom Flag air drills this week Most Viewed More prev Defense chief says plan to cut border unit troops to be executed 'gradually' by 2040 Next Defense chief says plan to cut border unit troops to be executed 'gradually' by 2040
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OK
SEOUL, April 9 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Thursday that his ministry plans to reduce the number of troops deployed to border units "gradually" by 2040, dismissing concerns about a sharp cut in such personnel in a short period of time.
Earlier this week, Ahn told reporters that the defense ministry plans to cut the number of troops deployed at general outposts near the inter-Korean border to some 6,000 from the current 22,000 by replacing them with surveillance systems equipped with artificial intelligence technology.
His remarks spawned concerns that the number of troops at border units could be sharply reduced in a short period of time, causing a possible vacuum in the military's surveillance capabilities.
"(The planned reduction in troops) was a goal to be executed by the year 2040 after phased review," Ahn wrote in a Facebook post.
"(The plan) should not be translated with the same alarm that suggests (our) troops are shrinking tomorrow," he said.
The defense chief also said the efficient and scientific management of surveillance operations in border units is a "mandate, not a choice" in a time of sweeping demographic changes. South Korea braces for a drastic population decline, which signals a fall in military manpower resources, in a country where all able-bodied men are mandated to serve at least 18 months.
Ahn earlier stressed the need to revamp the structure of the armed forces, such as introducing a selective conscription system, as part of efforts to tackle the country's demographic challenges.
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back speaks during a plenary session at the National Assembly on March 24, 2026. (Yonhap)
sookim@yna.co.kr
(END)
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Defense chief says plan to cut border unit troops to be executed 'gradually' by 2040
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Defense chief says plan to cut border unit troops to be executed 'gradually' by 2040
---
## Expert Analysis
### Merits
N/A
### Areas for Consideration
- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back speaks during a plenary session at the National Assembly on March 24, 2026. (Yonhap) sookim@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Defense chief urges military reform amid demographic, warfare shifts Keywords #defense chief Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho BTS tops Spotify weekly charts for 2nd week with new album 'Arirang' Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message Most Saved 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho (3rd LD) Lee says S.
### Implications
- His remarks spawned concerns that the number of troops at border units could be sharply reduced in a short period of time, causing a possible vacuum in the military's surveillance capabilities. "(The planned reduction in troops) was a goal to be executed by the year 2040 after phased review," Ahn wrote in a Facebook post. "(The plan) should not be translated with the same alarm that suggests (our) troops are shrinking tomorrow," he said.
- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back speaks during a plenary session at the National Assembly on March 24, 2026. (Yonhap) sookim@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Defense chief urges military reform amid demographic, warfare shifts Keywords #defense chief Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho BTS tops Spotify weekly charts for 2nd week with new album 'Arirang' Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message Most Saved 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho (3rd LD) Lee says S.
- Korea, France agree to cooperate on safe passage through Strait of Hormuz Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) N.
- Korea says test-fired tactical ballistic missile tipped with cluster bomb warhead Singer-actor Cha Eun-woo says he has paid off taxes related to evasion allegations (LEAD) Lee says time to fundamentally change economic system over fallout from Mideast war Inclement weather disrupts flights at Jeju airport S.
### Expert Commentary
This article covers defense, troops, border topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 526.
OK SEOUL, April 9 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Thursday that his ministry plans to reduce the number of troops deployed to border units "gradually" by 2040, dismissing concerns about a sharp cut in such personnel in a short period of time. Earlier this week, Ahn told reporters that the defense ministry plans to cut the number of troops deployed at general outposts near the inter-Korean border to some 6,000 from the current 22,000 by replacing them with surveillance systems equipped with artificial intelligence technology. His remarks spawned concerns that the number of troops at border units could be sharply reduced in a short period of time, causing a possible vacuum in the military's surveillance capabilities. "(The planned reduction in troops) was a goal to be executed by the year 2040 after phased review," Ahn wrote in a Facebook post. "(The plan) should not be translated with the same alarm that suggests (our) troops are shrinking tomorrow," he said. Korea, U.S. to begin joint Freedom Flag air drills this week Most Viewed More prev Defense chief says plan to cut border unit troops to be executed 'gradually' by 2040 Next Defense chief says plan to cut border unit troops to be executed 'gradually' by 2040
## Article Content
X
More
Linked in
Tumblr
Facebook Messenger
Copy URL
URL is copied.
OK
SEOUL, April 9 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Thursday that his ministry plans to reduce the number of troops deployed to border units "gradually" by 2040, dismissing concerns about a sharp cut in such personnel in a short period of time.
Earlier this week, Ahn told reporters that the defense ministry plans to cut the number of troops deployed at general outposts near the inter-Korean border to some 6,000 from the current 22,000 by replacing them with surveillance systems equipped with artificial intelligence technology.
His remarks spawned concerns that the number of troops at border units could be sharply reduced in a short period of time, causing a possible vacuum in the military's surveillance capabilities.
"(The planned reduction in troops) was a goal to be executed by the year 2040 after phased review," Ahn wrote in a Facebook post.
"(The plan) should not be translated with the same alarm that suggests (our) troops are shrinking tomorrow," he said.
The defense chief also said the efficient and scientific management of surveillance operations in border units is a "mandate, not a choice" in a time of sweeping demographic changes. South Korea braces for a drastic population decline, which signals a fall in military manpower resources, in a country where all able-bodied men are mandated to serve at least 18 months.
Ahn earlier stressed the need to revamp the structure of the armed forces, such as introducing a selective conscription system, as part of efforts to tackle the country's demographic challenges.
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back speaks during a plenary session at the National Assembly on March 24, 2026. (Yonhap)
sookim@yna.co.kr
(END)
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(5th LD) S. Korea, France agree to cooperate on safe passage through Strait of Hormuz
Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message
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Singer-actor Cha Eun-woo says he has paid off taxes related to evasion allegations
(LEAD) Lee says time to fundamentally change economic system over fallout from Mideast war
Inclement weather disrupts flights at Jeju airport
S. Korea, U.S. to begin joint Freedom Flag air drills this week
Most Viewed More
prev
Defense chief says plan to cut border unit troops to be executed 'gradually' by 2040
Next
Defense chief says plan to cut border unit troops to be executed 'gradually' by 2040
---
## Expert Analysis
### Merits
N/A
### Areas for Consideration
- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back speaks during a plenary session at the National Assembly on March 24, 2026. (Yonhap) sookim@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Defense chief urges military reform amid demographic, warfare shifts Keywords #defense chief Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho BTS tops Spotify weekly charts for 2nd week with new album 'Arirang' Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message Most Saved 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho (3rd LD) Lee says S.
### Implications
- His remarks spawned concerns that the number of troops at border units could be sharply reduced in a short period of time, causing a possible vacuum in the military's surveillance capabilities. "(The planned reduction in troops) was a goal to be executed by the year 2040 after phased review," Ahn wrote in a Facebook post. "(The plan) should not be translated with the same alarm that suggests (our) troops are shrinking tomorrow," he said.
- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back speaks during a plenary session at the National Assembly on March 24, 2026. (Yonhap) sookim@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Defense chief urges military reform amid demographic, warfare shifts Keywords #defense chief Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho BTS tops Spotify weekly charts for 2nd week with new album 'Arirang' Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message Most Saved 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho (3rd LD) Lee says S.
- Korea, France agree to cooperate on safe passage through Strait of Hormuz Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) N.
- Korea says test-fired tactical ballistic missile tipped with cluster bomb warhead Singer-actor Cha Eun-woo says he has paid off taxes related to evasion allegations (LEAD) Lee says time to fundamentally change economic system over fallout from Mideast war Inclement weather disrupts flights at Jeju airport S.
### Expert Commentary
This article covers defense, troops, border topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 526.
defense
troops
border
korea
ahn
chief
cut
week
Original Source
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260409008000315