Difference between revisions of "Military of South Korea" - New World Encyclopedia
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{| class="infobox bordered" style="width: 250px; font-size: 95%; float: right;" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" | {| class="infobox bordered" style="width: 250px; font-size: 95%; float: right;" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" | ||
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| style="width:2950px; background:#c0c0c0" align="center" colspan="2" | '''ROK Military''' | | style="width:2950px; background:#c0c0c0" align="center" colspan="2" | '''ROK Military''' | ||
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| − | | align="center" colspan="2" |[[Image:mndsmall.gif|100px|]]<br> Ministry of National Defense | + | | align="center" colspan="2" |[[Image:mndsmall.gif|100px|]]<br/> Ministry of National Defense |
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| align="center" colspan="2" | '''Military Manpower''' | | align="center" colspan="2" | '''Military Manpower''' | ||
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|title = Boeing F-15K Selected by the Republic of Korea as F-X Fighter | |title = Boeing F-15K Selected by the Republic of Korea as F-X Fighter | ||
|publisher = [[Boeing]] | |publisher = [[Boeing]] | ||
| − | |date = | + | |date = 2002-04-19 |
|url = http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2002/q2/nr_020419m.html | |url = http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2002/q2/nr_020419m.html | ||
|accessdate = 2007-03-02 | |accessdate = 2007-03-02 | ||
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|url = http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/Engnews/20070227/610000000020070227223709E6.html | |url = http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/Engnews/20070227/610000000020070227223709E6.html | ||
|work = [[Yonhap]] | |work = [[Yonhap]] | ||
| − | |date = | + | |date = 2007-02-27 |
|accessdate = 2007-03-02 | |accessdate = 2007-03-02 | ||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
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===Peace-keeping operations in Iraq=== | ===Peace-keeping operations in Iraq=== | ||
| − | On August, | + | On August, 2004, the [[South Korean]] government dispatched 3,400 soldiers to [[Iraq]] following American requests for reinforcements and further fueled by the beheading of South Korean citizen [[Kim Sun-il]] by Islamic extremists in Iraq. This force became third in size (surpassed only by the US and UK), after the withdrawal of [[Spain|Spanish]] forces. South Korea is currently responsible for peace-keeping and reconstruction in the [[Arbil Governorate]], located in the [[Kurdish Autonomous Region]]. The peace-keeping troops were named [[Zaytun Division]] and [[Daiman Unit]]. Zaytun and Daiman respectively mean [[olive]] (a symbol of peace) and 'always with you' in [[Arabic language|Arabic]]. |
===Reconstruction in Afghanistan=== | ===Reconstruction in Afghanistan=== | ||
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|url = http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2007/03/01/200703010042.asp | |url = http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2007/03/01/200703010042.asp | ||
|work = [[The Korea Herald]] | |work = [[The Korea Herald]] | ||
| − | |date = | + | |date = 2007-03-01 |
|accessdate= 2007-03-02 | |accessdate= 2007-03-02 | ||
}}</ref> Among the soldiers stationed in Afghanistan was [[Yoon Jang-ho]], who was the first South Korean soldier killed in action overseas since the [[Vietnam War]]. | }}</ref> Among the soldiers stationed in Afghanistan was [[Yoon Jang-ho]], who was the first South Korean soldier killed in action overseas since the [[Vietnam War]]. | ||
Revision as of 22:42, 13 July 2007
| ROK Military | |
 Ministry of National Defense | |
| Military Manpower | |
| Military age | 20-30 years of age[1] (24-28 months mandatory service, depending on the military branch involved) |
|---|---|
| Availability | 12,458,257[2] (2005 est.) |
| Fit for military service | 9,932,026[2] (2005 est.) |
| Active troops | 686,000 (ranked 8th) |
| Total troops | 5,209,000 (ranked 5th) |
| Military expenditures | |
| Amount | $22.13 billion (FY 2006) |
| Percent of GDP | 2.7% (FY 2006) |
The Republic of Korea Armed Forces, or ROK Armed Forces (Hangul: 대한민국 국군; Hanja: 大韓民國 國軍; Revised Romanization: Dae-han-min-guk Guk-gun), is one of the largest standing armed forces in the world. It consists of the following branches:
- Republic of Korea Army, ROKA (대한민국 육군; 大韓民國 陸軍)
- Republic of Korea Navy, ROKN (대한민국 해군; 大韓民國 海軍)
- Republic of Korea Marine Corps, ROKMC (대한민국 해병대; 大韓民國 海兵隊)
- Republic of Korea Air Force, ROKAF (대한민국 공군; 大韓民國 空軍)
Although the National Armed Forces Organisation Act stipulates that the ROK Navy includes the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, the ROKMC is a semi-autonomous organization that carries out much of its functions independently.[3]
In addition to the Armed Forces, there are also the Republic of Korea Reserve Forces, ROKRF (대한민국 향토예비군; 大韓民國 鄕土豫備軍) and the Republic of Korea Civil Defense Corps, ROKCDC (대한민국 민방위대; 大韓民國 民防衛隊).
Created in 1948, following the division of the Korean Peninsula by occupying Soviet and U.S. forces, it was a largely rudimentary force until the outbreak of the Korean War. It was heavily damaged by North Korean and Chinese attacks and in the beginning relied almost entirely on American support for weapons, ammunition and technology.
During South Korea's period of rapid growth, the military expanded accordingly, benefiting from several government-sponsored technology transfer projects and indigenous defense capability initiatives. Currently the ROK Navy has embarked on a rigorous ship-building program with ambitions to become a substantial blue-water navy by 2020. During the outbreak of the Vietnam War, South Korean marines were among those fighting alongside the United States and gained the respect of both the locals and their enemies, earning their nickname as "Demon-hunters" by the Viet Cong.
Today, the ROK military forces are responsible for maintaining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the republic, but often engage in humanitarian and disaster-relief efforts nation wide. More recently the ROK military has began increasing its participation in international affairs, acknowledging its role and responsibility as the tenth economic power in the world in terms of GDP. The ROK military has participated in various peacekeeping operations across Africa, East Timor, and more recently Iraq and Afghanistan.
Modernization efforts for the ROK military have been in place since the 1980s, and continue to this day. South Korea enjoys of a good mix of avant-garde as well as older conventional weapons. The Republic of Korea has one of the highest defense budgets in the world (though second lowest in East Asia), regularly making the list of top ten (see List of countries by military expenditures). Its capabilities include many sophisticated American and European weapon systems, complemented by a growing and increasingly more advanced indigenous defense manufacturing sector. The GlobalSecurity.org website states that "in 1990 South Korean industries provided about 70 percent of the weapons, ammunition, communications and other types of equipment, vehicles, clothing, and other supplies needed by the military."
Today, South Korea has a joint military partnership with the United States as outlined by the Mutual Defense Treaty signed after the Korean War. South Korea also takes part in regional as well as pan-Pacific national military wargames and exercises such as RIMPAC and RSOI.
Military Overview
Military service is mentioned as one of the Four Constitutional Duties (along with taxes, education, and labor). The current effective Conscription Law, however, applies only to males although women can volunteer as officers.
Military service varies according to branch: 22 months for the Army and Marine Corps, 24 months for the Navy and 26 months for the Air Force. Recently, however, there has been significant pressure from the public demanding either a shortening of the term or a switch to voluntary military service.
All branches share a common rank-system, with different colors used to denote the different branches. (Army: Green & Black, Navy: White & Black, Marine Corps: Red & Yellow, Air Force: Green & Blue)
Army
The ROK Army (ROKA) is by far the largest of the military branches, with over 560,000 effectives 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.
It should be noted that 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 the Army Headquarters, the Aviation Command, and the Special Warfare Command, with 11 corps, 49 divisions, and 19 brigades, some 560,000 troops 5,350 Tanks/Armored Vehicles, roughly 11,337 Artillery Systems, 7,032 Missile Defense 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.
The future replacement for the K1 MBT has been baptized the XK2 Black Panther (Korean: 흑표), which will be fitted with a German MTU 1500 hp Europowerpack engine, 120 mm main gun, an optional 140 mm smoothbore main barrel, and coaxial machine guns. The new tank will also feature radar equipment as well as all-bearing LASER detection system and reactive armor comparable to the American M1A2 and French LeClerc.
In addition South Korea already manufactures the indigenous K-9 Thunder howitzers, which have been exported to Turkey, as well as the K200 series KIFV's which saw action in UN peacekeeping operations 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 ROK Army also fields the mobile K-SAM Pegasus (Korean:천마), fitted with 8 missiles that fly at maximum speeds of mach 2.6, and the K-30 Biho (Korean:비호) series, which feature a 30 mm twin gun system for self-propelled anti-aerial fire support.
Besides having vehicles of their own design as well as American models, the ROK Army also has several Russian-built AFVs, including BMP-3 IFVs and BTR-80 APCs as well as T-80U MBTs. Although they are in active service with the Army, most of them were purchased in order to experiment their technology to be fitted with the ROK's XK2 MBT, such as the Explosive Reactive Armor blocks mounted on several Russian armored vehicles. However, the ROK Army is continuing their purchase of Russian equipments, as their recent addition of two BMP-3U IFVs hints. Other notable foreign equipment in service with the ROK Army includes the TOW ATGM launchers and Mistral MANPADS.
The ROK Navy (ROKN) is the armed forces branch responsible for conducting naval operations and amphibious landing operations.[4] As a part of its mission, the ROK Navy has engaged in several peacekeeping operations since the turn of the century.[5] The ROK Navy aims to become a blue-water navy by 2020.[6]
In 1995, Admiral An Byeongtae , the 20th Chief of Naval Operations, presented the vision of building a "blue ocean navy" for the future of the ROK Navy in his inaugural address.[7] In 2001, then President Kim Dae-jung announced a plan for building up a Strategic Mobile Fleet.[8]
The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) is the highest-ranking officer (four-star admiral) of the ROK Navy. The ROK Navy includes the Republic of Korea Navy Headquarters, Republic of Korea Fleet, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps, which is a semi-autonomous organization. As a part of "Defense Reform 2020," which was proposed by the Roh Moo-hyun Administration, the ROK Navy is required to reform the organizations under the Commander-in-Chief Republic of Korea Fleet (CINCROKFLT) by establishing a submarine operations command (fleet submarine force), a naval aviation operations command (fleet air arm), and a Mobile Flotilla.[9]
The ROK Navy had about 68,000 regular personnel including the 25,000 Republic of Korea Marine Corps personnel as of 2006. There are some 170 commissioned ships (total displacement of approx. 135,000 tons[10] ) in the ROK Navy, including approximately 10 submarines, 75 patrol craft and 20 auxiliaries. The naval aviation forces consist of about 10 fixed-wing and 50 rotary-wing aircraft.[11]
In the first decade of the 21st century, the ROK Navy launched the lead ships of newly developed classes: in 2002, ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sunshin (DDH 975), a 4,500-ton destroyer, was launched; in 2005, a new amphibious landing ship, the Dokdo (LPH 6111) was launched; in 2006, the ROK Navy launched the Sohn Won-yil (SS 072), an 1,800-ton Type 214 submarine with Air-Independent propulsion (AIP) system. The ROK Navy is undertaking several shipbuilding projects: Korean Destroyer Experimental (KDX) program, Frigate Experimental (FFX), Landing Platform Experimental (LPX), Patrol Killer Experimental (PKX), and Korean Submarine (KSS) program.
Air Force
The ROK Air Force (ROKAF) is a modern air force, which fields some 600+ combat aircraft of American design. In contrast, the North Korean Army has roughly 150-300 more aircraft, but mostly obsolete and some ancient types of Soviet and Chinese origin.
Korea began a program for the development of indigenous jet trainers beginning in 1997. This project eventually culminated in the KAI T-50, dubbed the "Golden Eagle" which is used as a trainer for jet pilots, now being exported to Indonesia. An armed version of the T-50 is the modified A-50, which can be fitted with free-fall or precision missiles such as the AGM-65 Maverick.
The replacement programs for the T-50 and A-50 are the KTX-2 and F-X, respectively. The latter has been fulfilled by the Boeing F-15K.[12]
The South Korean government also announced its plan to develop indigenous helicopter manufacturing capacities to replace the aging UH-1 helicopters, many of which had seen service during the Vietnam War. The program originally included plans for the development of both a civilian and a military helicopter. This was later revised and gave priority to the utility helicopter program. Based on the success and experience of the civilian KMH (Korean Multi-purpose Helicopter) the attack helicopter, which would share a common configuration, will be developed.
Marine Corps
 |
Please see the discussion on the talk page. |
Unlike other marine corps of the world, the ROKMC is not under the jurisdictional command of the Navy. South Korean Marines are well-known for their bravery and extensive knowledge of martial arts and have been honorably mentioned in several foreign articles over time. During the Vietnam War the ROKMC earned themselves both the fear and respect of the Viet Cong, up to the point that the communists began to shun combat with the South Korean Marines. It was also during the Vietnam War that they gained the nickname "Ghost-Catching Marines" or "Demon-hunters" (Korean: "귀신 잡는 해병대"). Korean Marines wear distinctive red name tags - a symbol of pride and honor.
The motto of the ROK Marine Corps is "Once a Marine, forever a Marine."
Ranks
In the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, ranks fall into one of four categories: commissioned officer, warrant officer, non-commissioned officer, and enlisted, in decreasing order of authority. Commissioned officer ranks are further subdivided into "Janggwan"-level officers, "Yeonggawan"-level officers, and "Wigwan"-level officers. The "Wonsu" is appointed from the "Daejang" who has distinguished achievements. However, there has been no one holding the rank of "Wonsu" in the history of the ROK Armed Forces. The English titles are given as comparative examples with the US Army ranks.
| Commissioned Officers (장교; 將校; Jang-gyo) | |
|---|---|
| 장관 (將官; Jang-gwan) | |
| 원수 (元帥; Won-su) | General of the Army |
| 대장 (大將; Dae-jang) | General |
| 중장 (中將; Jung-jang) | Lieutenant General |
| 소장 (少將; So-jang) | Major General |
| 준장 (准將; Jun-jang) | Brigadier General |
| 영관 (領官; Yeong-gwan) | |
| 대령 (大領; Dae-ryeong) | Colonel |
| 중령 (中領; Jung-ryeong) | Lieutenant Colonel |
| 소령 (少領; So-ryeong) | Major |
| 위관 (尉官; Wi-gwan) | |
| 대위 (大尉; Dae-wi) | Captain |
| 중위 (中尉; Jung-wi) | First Lieutenant |
| 소위 (少尉; So-wi) | Second Lieutenant |
| Warrant Officers (준사관; 准士官; Jun-sa-gwan) | |
|---|---|
| 준위 (准尉; Jun-wi) | Warrant Officer |
| Non-Commissioned Officers (부사관; 副士官; Bu-sa-gwan) | |
|---|---|
| 원사 (元士; Won-sa) | Sergeant Major |
| 상사 (上士; Sang-sa) | Master Sergeant |
| 중사 (中士; Jung-sa) | Sergeant First Class |
| 하사 (下士; Ha-sa) | Staff Sergeant |
| Enlisted (병; 兵; Byeong) | |
|---|---|
| 병장 (兵長; Byeong-jang) | Sergeant |
| 상등병 (上等兵; Sang-deung-byeong) | Corporal |
| 일등병 (一等兵; Il-deung-beyong) | Private First Class |
| 이등병 (二等兵; I-deung-byeong) | Private |
Overseas operations
About 2,500 soldiers operate in eight locations around the world as of 2007.[13]
UN peacekeeping operations
Until now South Korea has successfully participated in UN-sanctioned peacekeeping operations in East Timor, Somalia, Angola, and Western Sahara, as well as serving as Military Observers in the India-Pakistan border and in Georgia.
In September 2006, President Roh Moo-hyun announced that the government of Lebanon had officially asked the Republic of Korea to form part of the UN Peacekeeping Forces about to be deployed in Lebanon following the 2006 Israeli-Lebanese Conflict. Final deployment will be pending on a vote by the Kukhoe (National Assembly).
Peace-keeping operations in Iraq
On August, 2004, the South Korean government dispatched 3,400 soldiers to Iraq following American requests for reinforcements and further fueled by the beheading of South Korean citizen Kim Sun-il by Islamic extremists in Iraq. This force became third in size (surpassed only by the US and UK), after the withdrawal of Spanish forces. South Korea is currently responsible for peace-keeping and reconstruction in the Arbil Governorate, located in the Kurdish Autonomous Region. The peace-keeping troops were named Zaytun Division and Daiman Unit. Zaytun and Daiman respectively mean olive (a symbol of peace) and 'always with you' in Arabic.
Reconstruction in Afghanistan
At the request of the United States, about 60 medics from the Dongui Medical Unit (Korean: 동의부대, Hanja: 東醫部隊) and 150 engineers from the Dasan Engineering Unit (Korean: 다산부대, Hanja: 茶山部隊) have been stationed in Afghanistan since 2002 to help with the reconstruction effort.[14] Among the soldiers stationed in Afghanistan was Yoon Jang-ho, who was the first South Korean soldier killed in action overseas since the Vietnam War.
Notes
- ↑ South Korea: Military. CIA World Factbook. Retrieved 2006-01-10.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 This figure is from ages 20 to 49.
- ↑ "해병대 조직". Republic of Korea Marine Corps Official Website. Retrieved March 26, 2007.
- ↑ "Duty of the ROK Navy". Republic of Korea Navy Official Website. Retrieved March 10, 2007.
- ↑ "해군작전사령부 창설 54주년..어제와 오늘 그리고 미래". Ministry of National Defense Official Website. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
- ↑ "대양해군건설". Republic of Korea Navy Official Website. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
- ↑ "21세기 통일한국의 大洋해군 전략". Donga.com. Retrieved March 8, 2007.
- ↑ "김대통령, 해군사관학교 졸업 및 임관식 참석말씀". Kim Dae-jung Presidential Library Official Website. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
- ↑ "2006 국방백서". Ministry of National Defense Official Website. Retrieved March 11, 2007.
- ↑ "Defense of Japan 2006". Ministry of Defense Official Website. Retrieved March 22, 2007.
- ↑ "2006 국방백서". Ministry of National Defense Official Website. Retrieved March 11, 2007.
- ↑ Boeing (2002-04-19). Boeing F-15K Selected by the Republic of Korea as F-X Fighter. Press release. Retrieved on 2007-03-02.
- ↑ "Snapshot on S. Korean troops operating overseas", Yonhap, 2007-02-27. Retrieved 2007-03-02.
- ↑ Jin, Dae-woong, "Korea vows to stay the course in Afghanistan", The Korea Herald, 2007-03-01. Retrieved 2007-03-02.
See also
- List of Korea-related topics
- South Korea
- Military of North Korea
- KATUSA (Korean Augmentation to US Army)
- United States Forces Korea (USFK)
- List of military equipment of Republic of Korea
External links
- Republic of Korea Military Guide (globalsecurity.org)
- Republic of Korea Ministry of National Defense (ROKMND) (Korean / English)
- Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) xairforces.com website (English)
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 Republic of Korea Army |  Republic of Korea Navy (  Republic of Korea Marine Corps ) |  Republic of Korea Air Force
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