Military personnel from the Republic of Korea Army's 23rd Infantry Division participate in a field training exercise in Donghae, Gangwon Province, June 19. Yonhap

A proposal to recruit men in their 50s and 60s for non-combat military duties, intended to address South Korea's shrinking pool of conscripts, has sparked debate over the role that older men can or cannot play in the nation's defense.

Military experts say that the proposal, which involves assigning older men to guard duties, would require a significant overhaul of the current military structure and personnel system, making it impractical at this time.

Rep. Sung Il-jong of the ruling conservative People Power Party floated the idea last week as a potential solution to the looming personnel shortage.

"I believe healthy and experienced men in their 50s and 60s, who have already completed their military service, could support our armed forces by working as contracted civilian employees or through private outsourcing," Sung said in an interview with CBS radio, Friday.

He added that these older men, who tend to sleep less as they age but are healthy, could be suitable for guard duty.

The lawmaker pointed to the U.S. Forces Korea model, where maintenance, repair and operations tasks, as well as private military company roles, are often outsourced to local civilians.

He also suggested that his proposal could create jobs for retired men, offering economic benefits similar to those received by conscripted soldiers, who earn around 2 million won ($1,530) per month.

Under current laws, all non-disabled South Korean men aged between 19 to 35 are required to complete military service. Afterward, they remain in the reserve forces until they turn 40, subject to potential mobilization.

Recent data suggests that the number of military personnel will fall below 400,000 by 2040, down from the current 480,000. The figure dipped below 500,000 for the first time in 2022.

The anticipated decline in military personnel has raised concerns about South Korea's national security, particularly given that the country remains technically at war with North Korea.

Rep. Sung Il-jong of the ruling People Power Party speaks during a parliamentary session at the National Assembly in Seoul, Aug. 8. Yonhap

"Some older men might be willing to rejoin the military as a second career after retirement," Kim Dae-young, a military expert, said. "But their willingness and what they can actually contribute in a military setting are two different things. It would be awkward for a major or captain in their 30s to give orders to men nearly twice their age, especially in our society, where age hierarchy matters."

Kim added that lawmakers' proposing such unrealistic plans highlights how difficult it is to address the looming personnel shortage in the armed forces.

Still, Sung's proposal may appeal to members of the Senior Army, an organization established in 2023 that consists mostly of men in their 50s to 70s who have completed their military service.

Under the motto "When the country calls, we serve," the members voluntarily engage in regular physical and tactical training to maintain combat readiness. The group, which began with about 500 members, has since grown to 2,000, with the goal of expanding to 100,000.

The Ministry of National Defense stated that currently there is no official position on the proposal. However, some military officials who spoke to The Korea Times questioned its feasibility.

"Unlike U.S. base camps, which house tens of thousands of personnel like a town, our barracks are scattered across the country, with some housing only a few hundred troops. It's unclear how we would accommodate older men in their 50s and 60s in barracks located in rural areas or along the front lines, or even if they would be willing to serve in remote regions, separated from their families," one military official said on condition of anonymity.

Another official said, "Unless we consolidate smaller bases into larger ones, which would require a complete overhaul of the military structure and personnel system, recruiting senior men for guard duties seems like a distant idea."