The Defense Ministry is considering phasing out two Army corps to effectively adapt to the ever-changing security environment. Analysts see the move as a first step of sweeping restructuring of the military.

The Defense Ministry said Thursday that Defense Minister Yun Gwang-ung had ordered the Army, through the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to conduct a feasibility study on the military cut plan.

The plan is aimed at addressing rising concerns that a force structure centered on troop numbers would be too outdated to handle future security challenges.

The troop reduction plan includes removing the 9th and 11th army corps of the 2nd Army Command, which is in charge of defending areas south of Seoul, and placing seven divisions of the two corps under direct control of the Command.

However, the deployment of eight Army corps in the frontline border area is expected to remain unchanged, as North Korea has concentrated 70 percent of its Army troops south of Pyongyang.

The possible dismantlement of the two corps has yet to be decided on, as a JCS insider pointed out that the defense minister would make a final decision on the cut when the feasibility study is completed.