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Read Full BioOnline gambling has reached epidemic proportions in the South Korean armed forces, a new investigation has revealed, following a recent military suicide.
The South Korean broadcaster JTBC reported that military authorities have confirmed that an unnamed member of the armed forces borrowed a total of 24 million won ($16,771) from seven fellow soldiers.
Unable to repay his debts, he was later found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. An inquest ruled that the man had taken his own life.
The high-profile case has stoked controversy in South Korea. The dead soldier’s family told news reporters that he had “previously run away from home and received treatment for problem gambling.”
However, the broadcaster explained that the armed forces admit there has been “a rise in crimes committed within the military due to online gambling addiction.”
JTBC quoted military prosecutors as stating that last year, the South Korean army, navy, and air force reported more than 300 online gambling-related disciplinary cases.
Gambling Epidemic: Military Urged to Act
Critics blame an increase in “unchecked cellphone use in the military.” They claim that “online gambling among soldiers is reaching a critical level.”
They point to a July 2022 ruling, when the Ministry of National Defense granted soldiers “full access” to their mobile phones when not on duty.
Yoon Hyung-ho, a Professor Emeritus of Military Science at Konyang University, told the broadcaster: “There are virtually no limits on smartphone use during free time. The mechanisms, tools, and regulations for sanctions are weak.”
Critics also say that most gambling-related violations result in relatively “minor” disciplinary actions.
Soldiers caught breaking gambling rules are typically ordered to attend special training sessions. In some cases, they face vacation reductions.
But, JTBC reported the military’s preventative measures are essentially limited to “gambling prevention education and digital ethics training sessions.”
The lawmaker Kim Byeong-gi opined that “education alone” would not help. He said this could not hope to reverse the rise of online gambling in the armed forces.
He urged the government to pursue “practical measures,” calling for “a system that fundamentally blocks access to gambling sites.”
Kim also said the military needed more addiction treatment resources. But the problem is not restricted to the armed forces, experts claimed.
Young Conscripts Vulnerable, Experts Warn
South Korean law requires the vast majority of young men to enter the military for between 18 and 21 months.
These young conscripts, typically aged 18 to 28, are particularly susceptible to online gambling addiction, some believe.
Per official data, in the first half of 2025, around 2,500 South Koreans received treatment for gambling addiction. Sixty percent of this number were aged between 20 and 39.
Han Chang-woo, a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Myongji Hospital, explained: “As online gambling via mobile devices becomes more prevalent, gambling addiction sufferers are getting younger.”
Elsewhere in Asia, military leaders say they have begun spot-checks of soldiers’ smartphones. They say this will help ensure they are not accessing online gambling platforms.
In Indonesia, several military units have announced sanctions on soldiers found to have placed bets on illegal gambling sites. These include members of the country’s marine corps.
