The number of South Korean servicemen who deserted from the military has steadily declined by more than 40 percent over the past three years, a report said Monday, reflecting ongoing efforts to improve barrack lives.

According to the report submitted by the High Court for Armed Forces to Rep. Seo Young-kyo of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy, 415 people broke barracks last year, up about 41.4 percent from 708 in 2011. The annual figures have been nudging downward, albeit with slight fluctuations, reaching 643 in 2013 and 619 in 2012.

As of the end of June this year, 154 desertions took place, the paper said. 

Of the total, 1,877, or 74 percent, singled out disgust with army life as the chief motive behind their escape, followed by family problems with 4.5 percent and trouble with their girlfriends with 2.9 percent.

The Defense Ministry have for years been stepping up efforts to stem the runaway flow and violence within barracks by shortening the service period, improving the military culture and paying greater attention to soldiers in need of “intensive care” such as those suffering from depression.

“There still are troops who get sick and tired and then flee the military, even while some 80 servicemen had opted to delay their discharge in the face of a recent flare-up of tension with North Korea,” Seo said on Twitter.

“We should strive more to change unreasonable military culture so that the soldiers can dutifully fulfill their service.”

By Shin Hyon-hee (heeshin@heraldcorp.com)