<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out - of - date information . Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information . (March 2012) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out - of - date information . Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information . (March 2012) </Td> </Tr> <P> The unresolved tension with North Korea have prompted South Korea to allocate 2.6% of its GDP and 15% of all government spending to its military (Government share of GDP: 14.967%), while maintaining compulsory conscription for men . Consequently, South Korea has the world's sixth largest number of active troops (650,000 in 2011), the world's second - largest number of reserve troops (3,200,000 in 2011) and the eleventh largest defense budget . The Republic of Korea, with both regular and reserve military force numbering 3.7 million regular personnel among a total national population of 50 million people, has the second highest number of soldiers per capita in the world, after the Democratic People's Republic of Korea . </P> <P> The South Korean military consists of the Army (ROKA), the Navy (ROKN), the Air Force (ROKAF), and the Marine Corps (ROKMC), and reserve forces . Many of these forces are concentrated near the Korean Demilitarized Zone . All South Korean males are constitutionally required to serve in the military, typically 21 months . Previously, Koreans of mixed race were exempt from military duty but no exception from 2011 . </P>

What is the size of south korea military