Korea to Slash Armed Forces to 500,000 by 2020

, The number of armed forces personnel will be slashed to 500,000 by 2020 from the current 680,000 in line with a military reform bill to be passed at the National Assembly. 
 
The defense reform law is designed to boost South Korea's war capability by introducing advanced weapons, while reducing its dependence on U.S. troops. 
 
The military is expected to exercise independent command in about three to five years through the transition of wartime operational control from the U.S. military. 
 
Currently, the Army has about 560,000 soldiers, while the Navy and Marines have a combined 63,000. The Air Force has some 63,000. An additional 4.5 million are in the reserves. 
 
In a move to make the military more efficient, the ministry plans to reduce two army corps in front-line areas and two others in the rear, while halving 47 army divisions. 
 
Instead, the ministry plans to establish a missile headquarters that is armed with various cutting-edge rocket systems — to address the North's threat of rockets that are heavily deployed near the Demilitarized Zone targeting Seoul. 
 
The Navy plans to introduce Aegis destroyers and the 214-type submarines to extend its ability to watch and hit opponents' moves throughout its field of operation. 
 
The Air Force is also expected to equip itself with abilities to conduct surgical strikes at every spot within the Korean Peninsula.