South Korean Chaebol Scions increasingly Opt for Navy Officer Roles Amidst Declining Military Manpower
SEOUL – Reflecting a shift in South Korea’s military recruitment landscape, heirs to leading conglomerates are choosing to serve as naval officers, a trend highlighted by recent enlistments from the SK Group and Samsung Electronics families.This move comes as the nation grapples with a declining population and a changing attitude towards military service, forcing a re-evaluation of its conscription system.
Historically, South Korea’s large population allowed for selective military recruitment. Though, maintaining a 300,000-strong military with 18-month service terms now requires an annual intake of 200,000 conscripts – a number increasingly arduous to achieve given demographic shifts and a preference for choice service options. This scarcity of manpower is prompting the military to seek highly qualified individuals, even through unconventional routes.
In November 2014, Min-jung, the second daughter of SK Group Chairman Choi Tae-won, joined the 117th Navy Candidate (OCS), reportedly inspired by the leadership of explorer Ernest Shackleton. More recently, on September 15th, Ji-ho, the eldest son of Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, entered the 139th Navy Bachelor’s candidate program, with assignment to the Navy expected on December 1st for a total of 39 months of service.Former Defense Secretary Song Young-moo previously advocated for attracting talent by joining the Navy as a private candidate.
This trend of chaebol scions choosing officer roles is unusual, as previous generations often sought ways to fulfill their mandatory service in less demanding positions.The shift underscores the growing competition for qualified recruits,with conscripts now often prioritizing branch preference - Army,Navy,or Air Force – rather than aspiring to officer status.Park Sung-jin, representative of Security 22 and a security expert, notes the evolving dynamic between the military and society in a population-limited era.
