S Korea's army shrinks by 20% in 6 yrs as male population drops
South Korea's armed forces have reduced from about 5,63,000 to 4,50,000 troops in six years, a 20% reduction driven by shrinking pool of men eligible for mandatory service amid male population decline. With world's lowest birthrate, the country is also facing a shortage of officers. The defence ministry has warned that if decline continues, it could result in operational difficulty.