Military of South Korea

Branches

Army

Navy

Air Force

Marine Corps

Homeland Reserve Forces

History

Personnel

Comparative military ranks Image File history File links Mndsmall. ... The military of South Korea is one of the largest standing armed forces in the world. ... Image File history File links Rokarmymark. ... Image File history File links Naval_Jack_of_South_Korea. ... ROKN Jack The Republic of Korea Navy (ROK Navy, ROKN, Hangul: 대한민국 해군; hanja: 大韓民國 海軍) is the navy of South Korea. ... Image File history File links Rokafemblem. ... The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROK Air Force, ROKAF, Hangul: 대한민국 공군, Hanja: 大韓民國 空軍) is the air force of South Korea. ... Image File history File links Rokmc. ... ROKMC crest The Republic of Korea Marine Corps (aka ROK Marine Corps, ROKMC, Korean Hangul: , Hanja: , Revised Romanization: Dae-Han-min-guk Haebyeongdae) is the Marine Corps of the Republic of Korea. ... The Republic of Korea Homeland Reserve Forces (a. ... Korea has a long military history going back several thousand years, with an extensive series of wars that involved invasions, civil discord, counter-piracy actions against medieval Japan, the first use of armoured battleships in seabattles, and the devastation of rebellions against the Joseon era Japanese invasions, the forced peace... Comparative military ranks of Korea refer to the ranks and insignia maintained by the three primary military powers on the Korean Peninsula, those being the South Korean military, the armed forces of North Korea, and the military forces of the United States. ...

Military ranks Military ranks of South Korea refer to the ranks and insignia maintained by the Military of South Korea. ...

Equipment

The Republic of Korea Army (ROK Army, ROKA, hangul: 대한민국 육군; hanja: 大韓民國 陸軍) is by far the largest of the military branches, with over 560,000 members as of 2004. This comes as a response to both the mountainous terrain native to the Korean Peninsula (70% mountainous) as well as the heavy North Korean presence, with its 1 million strong army, two-thirds of which is permanently garrisoned in the frontline near the DMZ. // Daewoo K-1A Carbine Daewoo K-2 Assault Rifle Daewoo K-7 Silencer-Mounted SMG Korean OICW Heckler & Koch MP5 Daewoo K-5 IMI Jericho 941F Tactical Heckler & Koch USP9 Tactical Daewoo K-3 Light Machine Gun K-4 40mm Grenade Launcher K-6 12. ... Jamo redirects here. ... Hanja is the Korean name for Chinese characters. ... The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula in East Asia. ... Map of the Korean DMZ. The DMZ is given in red. ...

Overview

The current administration has initiated a program of self-defense, whereby South Korea would be able to fully counter the North Korean threat with purely domestic means within the next two decades.

The ROK Army was formerly organized into 3 armies: the First Army (FROKA), Second Army (SROKA), and Third Army (TROKA), each with its own head quarters, corps, and divisions. The Third Army was responsible for the defense of the capital as well as the western section of the DMZ. The First Army was responsible for the defense of the eastern section of the DMZ whereas the SROKA formed the rearguard.

Under a restructuring plan aimed at reducing redundancy, the First and Third Armies have been incorporated into the newly formed Ground Operations Command (GOC), whereas the Second ROK Army has been converted into the Rear Operations Command (ROC).

The army consists of 560,000 troops, 4,975 Tanks/Armored Vehicles, 5,598 battlefield Artillery Systems (Includes Tracked, Wheeled and Towed Systems) and 13,000 Infantry Support Systems.

Equipment of the ROK Army include the older M47, M48 as well as the more recent K1 and K1A1, which bear a 120 mm smoothbore gun and are of local manufacture. K1 can mean: K1 is another name for Masherbrum, a mountain in the Karakoram range in Pakistan. ... The K1 (or Type 88) is a main battle tank in use with the South Korean ground forces. ...

A K1A1 main battle tank.

The future replacement for the K1 MBT has been baptized the K2 Black Panther(흑표/黑豹; Heukpyo), which will be fitted with a 1500 hp MTU engine, 55-caliber 120 mm main gun with autoloader, which has been reportedly rumored to be able to penetrate through the amount of armor equivalent to that of American M1A2. The new tank will also feature RADAR equipment as well as all-bearing LASER detection and defense systems, anti-missile grenade launcher, and heavy reactive armor and sensor package comparable to the American M1A2 and French LeClerc. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1000x750, 358 KB) Summary Description: A Korean army K1A1 tank. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1000x750, 358 KB) Summary Description: A Korean army K1A1 tank. ... The K1 (or Type 88) is a main battle tank in use with the South Korean ground forces. ... The US M1A1 Abrams tank is a typical modern main battle tank. ... // XK-2, or eXperimental K2, (KNMBT, or Korean New Main Battle Tank) Black Panther (Hangul: 차기전차 XK-2 흑표) is the Republic of Koreas recently revealed prototype for a next-generation main battle tank. ... The M1 Abrams main battle tank is the principal combat tank of the United States Army. ... This long range Radar antenna, known as ALTAIR, is used to detect and track space objects in conjunction with ABM testing at the Ronald Reagan Test Site on the Kwajalein atoll[1]. Radar is a system that uses radio waves to determine and map the location, direction, and/or speed... For other uses, see Laser (disambiguation). ... This article or section should include material from Explosive reactive armour Reactive armor or explosive reactive armour (ERA), is a type of armour used primarily on tanks to lessen the damage from explosions caused from missile warheads, exploding shells, grenades, or dropped bombs. ... The M1 Abrams main battle tank is the principal combat tank of the United States Army. ... The gunners position, looking down from the turret roof. ...

In addition South Korea already manufactures the indigenous K-9 howitzer, which have been exported to Turkey, as well as the K200 series KIFV's which saw action in UN peacekeeping operations(PKO) as part of the Malaysian peacekeeping forces. A variation of the K200, the KAFV's can be retrofitted to bear a 90 mm barrel or 40 mm grenade turret. The K-9 Thunder is an indigenous South Korean self-propelled 155 mm howitzer developed by Samsung Techwin. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ...

A replacement for K200 series IFVs are currently being tested, designated as XK21 NIFV (Next-generation Infantry Fighting Vehicle), which will have various capabilities for both land and naval warfare. A replacement for the South Korean K200 series infantry fighting vehicles are currently being tested, designated as K300 or XK21 KNIFV (KoreaNext-generation Infantry Fighting Vehicle). ...

The ROK Army also fields the mobile K-SAM "Pegasus"(천마/天馬; Cheonma), fitted with 8 missiles that fly at maximum speeds of mach 2.6, and the K-30 "Biho" series, which features a 30 mm twin gun system for anti-aerial fire support.

Besides having vehicles and equipment of their own design as well as American models, the ROK Army also has several Russian-built AFVs, including BMP-3 IFVs and T-80U MBTs, given by the Russian government to pay off the financial debt owed to South Korea. Other notable foreign equipment in service with the ROK Army includes the Mistral MANPADS. The BMP-3 is a Russian infantry fighting vehicle which was first introduced 1990. ... The T-80 is a Soviet/Russian/Ukrainian main battle tank. ... Mistral is an infrared homing surface-to-air missile manufactured by the European multinational company MBDA missile systems (formerly by Matra BAe Dynamics). ... An SA-7 in use Russian Manportable SAM System SA-18/GROUSE MANPADS (Human-Portable Air-Defence System) are shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles. ...

A new infantry rifle, named KNR or Korean New Rifle, has recently been unveiled. The overall concept of this weapon is similar to the American OICW. It is slated for distribution around 2010. The Agency for Defense Development (ADD) of South Korea recently unveiled a prototype infantry weapon known as Korean New Rifle, or KNR. Its overall concept is similar to the American OICW. Equipped with a LASER range-finder as well as a ballistics computer, it allows the operator to engage in... The XM29 Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW), also referred to as the Selectable Assault Battle Rifle, is a highly advanced new assault rifle / grenade launcher system slated to replace certain M-16 assault rifles with M203 underslung grenade launcher. ...

History

The 1st of every October is celebrated in South Korea as the Armed Forces Day. It commemorates the same date during the Korean War when units of the ROK Army first crossed the 38th Parallel, thus leading the UN Coalition north into communist territory for the first time. Combatants United Nations:  Republic of Korea  Australia  Belgium  Luxembourg  Canada  Colombia  Ethiopia  France  Greece  Luxembourg  Netherlands  New Zealand  Philippines  South Africa  Thailand  Turkey  United Kingdom  United States Medical staff:  Denmark  Australia  Italy  Norway  Sweden Communist states:  Democratic People’s Republic of Korea  Peoples Republic of China  Soviet Union Commanders...

Order of Battle

• Republic of Korea Army Headquarters (대한민국 육군본부)

• Missile Command (유도탄사령부)
• Chemical Defense Command (화생방방호사령부)

• Capital Defense Command (수도방위사령부)

• 1st Chemical Defense Brigade (1화학전방호여단)
• 122nd Signal Brigade (122통신여단)
• 10th Air Defense Artillery Group (10방공단)
• 1133rd Engineer Group (1133공병단)

• 52nd Homeland Defense Infantry Division (52향토보병사단)
• 56th Homeland Defense Infantry Division (56향토보병사단)
• 57th Homeland Defense Infantry Division (57향토보병사단)
• 60th Reserve Infantry Division (60동원보병사단)
• 71st Reserve Infantry Division (71동원보병사단)

• Special Warfare Command (특수전사령부)

• 707th Special Mission Battalion (707특수임무대대)

• Special Warfare Training Group (특수전교육단)
• 1st Special Forces Brigade (Airborne) (1공수특전여단)
• 3rd Special Forces Brigade (Airborne) (3공수특전여단)
• Special MIssion Forces Brigade (Airborne) (Former 5th Special Forces Brigade)
• 7th Special Forces Brigade (Airborne) (7공수특전여단)
• 9th Special Forces Brigade (Airborne) (9공수특전여단)
• 11th Special Forces Brigade (Airborne) (11공수특전여단)
• 13th Special Forces Brigade (Airborne) (13공수특전여단)

• Aviation Command (항공사령부)

• 1st Aviation Brigade (1항공여단)
• 2nd Aviation Brigade (2항공여단)
• 203rd Special Assault Brigade (Air Assault) (203특공여단) (공중강습)

• Army Logistics Command (육군군수사령부)
• Army Training & Doctrine Command (육군교육사령부)

• Army University (육군대학교)
• Technical Schools (병과학교)

• Army Combat Development Group (육군전투발전단)
• Military Academy (육군사관학교)

• First Army (FROKA) (1야전군) (Will be formed the Ground Operations Command with TROKA by 2010)

• 3rd Armored Brigade (3기갑여단)
• 11th Field Artillery Group (11야전포병단)
• 12th Aviation Group (12항공단)
• 1107th Engineer Group (1107공병단)
• 1170th Engineer Group (1170공병단)

• 11th Infantry Division (Mechanized) (11기계화보병사단)
• 1st Logistical Support Command (1군수지원사령부)

• II Corps (2군단)

• 2nd Artillery Brigade (2포병여단)
• 2nd Engineer Brigade (2공병여단)
• 102nd Signal Brigade (102통신여단)
• 702nd Special Assault Regiment (702특공연대)
• 302nd Security Regiment (302경비연대)

• 7th Infantry Division (7보병사단)
• 15th Infantry Division (15보병사단)
• 27th Infantry Division (27보병사단)

• III Corps (3군단)

• 3rd Artillery Brigade (3포병여단)
• 3rd Engineer Brigade (3공병여단)
• 103rd Signal Brigade (103통신여단)
• 703rd Special Assault Regiment (703특공연대)
• 303rd Security Regiment (303경비연대)

• 2nd Infantry Division (2보병사단)
• 12th Infantry Division (12보병사단)
• 21st Infantry Division (21보병사단)

• VIII Corps (8군단)

• 8th Artillery Brigade (8포병여단)
• 102nd Infantry Brigade (102보병여단)

• 22nd Infantry Division (22보병사단)
• 23rd Infantry Division (23보병사단)

• Second Army (SROKA) (2야전군) (Will be formed the Rear Operations Command by 2010)

• 21st Aviation Group (21항공단)
• 1117th Engineer Group (1117공병단)
• 1120th Engineer Group (1120공병단)

• 2nd Logistical Support Command (2군수지원사령부)

• IX Corps (9군단) (Will be inactivated by 2010)

• 201st Special Assault Brigade (201특공여단)

• 31st Homeland Defense Infantry Division (31향토보병사단)
• 32nd Homeland Defense Infantry Division (32향토보병사단)
• 35th Homeland Defense Infantry Division (35향토보병사단)
• 37th Homeland Defense Infantry Division (37향토보병사단)

• XI Corps (11군단) (Will be inactivated by 2010)

• 205th Special Assault Brigade (205특공여단)

• 39th Homeland Defense Infantry Division (39향토보병사단)
• 50th Homeland Defense Infantry Division (50향토보병사단)
• 53rd Homeland Defense Infantry Division (53향토보병사단)

• Third Army (TROKA) (3야전군) (Will be formed the Ground Operations Command with FROKA by 2010)

• 1st Air Defense Artillery Brigade (1방공포병여단)
• 1101st Engineer Group (1101공병단)
• 1173rd Engineer Group (1173공병단)
• 1175th Engineer Group (1175공병단)

• 3rd Logistical Support Command (3군수지원사령부)

• Capital Corps (수도군단)

• Capital Artillery Brigade (수도포병여단)
• 103rd Infantry Brigade (103보병여단)
• 100th Signal Brigade (100통신여단)
• 700th Special Assault Regiment (700특공연대)

• 17th Infantry Division (17보병사단)

• I Corps (1군단)

• 2nd Armored Brigade (2기갑여단)
• 101st Infantry Brigade (101보병여단)
• 1st Engineer Brigade (1공병여단)
• 101st Signal Brigade (101통신여단)
• 11th Aviation Group (11항공단)
• 701st Special Assault Regiment (701특공연대)
• 301st Security Regiment (301경비연대)

• 1st Artillery Brigade (1포병여단)

• 2nd Field Artillery Group (2야전포병단)
• 3rd Field Artillery Group (3야전포병단)
• 7th Field Artillery Group (7야전포병단)

• 1st Infantry Division (1보병사단)
• 9th Infantry Division (9보병사단)
• 25th Infantry Division (25보병사단)
• 30th Infantry Division (Mechanized) (30기계화보병사단)

• V Corps (5군단)

• 1st Armored Brigade (1기갑여단)
• 5th Engineer Brigade (5공병여단)
• 105th Signal Brigade (105통신여단)
• 15th Aviation Group (15항공단)
• 705th Special Assault Regiment (705특공연대)
• 305th Security Regiment (305경비연대)

• 5th Artillery Brigade (5포병여단)

• 1st Field Artillery Group (1야전포병단)
• 5th Field Artillery Group (5야전포병단)

• 3rd Infantry Division (3보병사단)
• 6th Infantry Division (6보병사단)
• 8th Infantry Division (8보병사단) (Will be Mechanized by 2010)

• VI Corps (6군단)

• 5th Armored Brigade (5기갑여단)
• 6th Engineer Brigade (6공병여단)
• 106th Signal Brigade (106통신여단)
• 16th Aviation Group (16항공단)
• 706th Special Assault Regiment (706특공연대)
• 306th Security Regiment (306경비연대)

• 6th Artillery Brigade (6포병여단)

• 6th Field Artillery Group (6야전포병단)
• 9th Field Artillery Group (9야전포병단)

• 5th Infantry Division (5보병사단)
• 26th Infantry Division (Mechanized) (26기계화보병사단)
• 28th Infantry Division (28보병사단)

• VII Corps (7군단)

• 7th Artillery Brigade (7포병여단)
• 7th Engineer Brigade (7공병여단)
• 107th Signal Brigade (107통신여단)
• 17th Aviation Group (17항공단)
• 7th Airborne Group (7공수단)

• Capital Infantry Division (Mechanized) 'Tiger Division' (수도기계화보병사단 '맹호사단')
• 20th Infantry Division (Mechanized) (20기계화보병사단)

The Special Warfare Command consists of several brigades, and its main tasks include collecting secret information in enemy territory, spotting ROK military firepower, and carrying out other designated tasks. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... It has been suggested that Tiger Division be merged into this article or section. ...

Military Ranks

General ranks

ROK Army rank	ROK Army insignia
Wonsu (General of the Army) (Wartime Only) A Wonsu is the highest military rank of the Republic of Korea (ROK) armed forces and is the combined equivalent of a General of the Army, Fleet Admiral and Marshal of the Royal Air Force in other nations. ...
Daejang (General) Image File history File links South Korean 5 Star Collar Patch (U.S. Army IOH) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Daejang (hangul: 대장, hanja: 大將) is a senior military rank of the Korean Peninsula, used by both North and South Korea. ...
Chungjang (Lieutenant General) Image File history File links South Korean General Insignia File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in almost every country in the world. ...
Sojang (Major General) Image File history File links Korean 3 Star General File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ...
Junjang (Brigadier General) Image File history File links Korean 2 Star General File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

Image File history File links Korean Brigadier General File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

Officer ranks

ROK Army rank	ROK Army insignia
Daeryeong (Colonel)
Jungryeong (Lieutenant Colonel) Image File history File links ROK Colonel Insignia File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...
Soryeong (Major) Image File history File links ROK Lieuenant Colonel File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...
Daewi (Captain) Image File history File links ROK Major Insignia File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Insignia of a modern day Senior Captain in the Russian Army Senior Captain is a rare military rank which is used in some countries armed forces as a rank between a regular Captain and a Major. ...
Jungwi (First Lieutenant) Image File history File links ROK Captain Insignia File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...
Sowi (Second Lieutenant) Image File history File links ROK First Lieuenant File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Sowi is the junior most Korean officer rank in both the militaries of North and South Korea. ...

Image File history File links Rok 2nd Lieutenant File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

Enlisted ranks

ROK Army rank	ROK Army insignia
Wonsa (Sergeant Major) Wonsa is the highest enlisted South Korean military rank, equivalent to a Sergeant Major in most other countries. ...
Sangsa (Master Sergeant) Image File history File links South Korean Sergeant Major File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Sangsa is a Korean military rank used by both the armed forces of North and South Korea. ...
Jungsa (Sergeant First Class) Image File history File links South Korean Master Sergeant File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...
Hasa (Staff Sergeant) Image File history File links South Korean First Sergeant File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Hasa is a Korean military rank which is used in both the armed forces of North and South Korea. ...
Byeongjang (Sergeant) Image File history File links South Korean Staff Sergeant File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Byong or Byeong (Korean 병) is a military term used in the armed forces of South Korea to describe a soldier, airman, sailor, or marine who holds a junior enlisted rank. ...
Sangbyeong (Corporal) Image File history File links South Korean Sergeant File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Byong or Byeong (Korean 병) is a military term used in the armed forces of South Korea to describe a soldier, airman, sailor, or marine who holds a junior enlisted rank. ...
Ilbyeong (Private First Class) Image File history File links South Korean Corporal File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Byong or Byeong (Korean 병) is a military term used in the armed forces of South Korea to describe a soldier, airman, sailor, or marine who holds a junior enlisted rank. ...
Ibyeong (Private) Image File history File links South Korean PFC File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Byong or Byeong (Korean 병) is a military term used in the armed forces of South Korea to describe a soldier, airman, sailor, or marine who holds a junior enlisted rank. ...
Hullyeonbyeong (Recruit) Image File history File links South Korean Private File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...	No Insignia

External links

• Republic of Korea Army (In Korean)