육군 병사 복무기간 조정의 역사적 경로와 결정 요인: 환경적･제도적 맥락, 행위자 요인의 상호작용 분석

초록

Since the establishment of conscription in 1949 under the principle of universal military service, South Korea has faced evolving challenges in maintaining its military system, particularly amidst declining birth rates that have exacerbated shortages of conscription resources and difficulties in sustaining a standing military force. This study applies the historical institutionalism path evolution framework to examine the historical path of adjustments to the army service period and elucidates the dynamic interactions within environmental, institutional contexts, and actor factors that have shaped policy decisions. Service period adjustments were extended during national crises, such as the Korean War, reflecting security imperatives, but were incrementally reduced in subsequent periods as circumstances evolved. While the administrations of Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in demonstrated strong political commitment to shortening the service period, other administrations faced significant barriers, including security-related constraints and resistance arising from institutional path dependency, which impeded the implementation of similar pledges. These reductions in service period, while politically significant, have contributed to challenges such as manpower shortages and reduced troop proficiency, underscoring the necessity for comprehensive reform of the military service system. This research systematically traces the historical path of Army service period adjustments, offering nuanced insights into the interplay of policy determinants and providing recommendations for the future design of balanced and adaptive military service policies that align with both national security priorities and demographic realities.

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