Republic of Korea Army
Encyclopedia
The Republic of Korea Army (ROK Army, ROKA, Korean
: 대한민국 육군, Hanja
: 大韓民國 陸軍, Revised Romanization: Daehanminguk Yuk-gun) is the largest of the military branches of the South Korean armed forces with 520,000 members as of 2010. This size is maintained through conscription; South Korean men must complete 21 months of military service between graduation of high school and the age of 35. The Republic of Korea maintains a well equipped army, making it one of the most powerful in Asia. Its primary function is to defend the country's terrain from enemies, most notably the DPRK.
(70% mountainous) and in North Korea with its 1 million strong Korean People's Army
, two-thirds of which is permanently garrisoned in the frontline near the DMZ
. The current administration has initiated a program over the next two decades to design a purely domestic means of self-defense, whereby South Korea
would be able to fully counter a North Korean attack.
The ROK Army was formerly organized into 3 armies: the First Army (FROKA), Second Army (2nd OC), and Third Army (TROKA), each with its own headquarters, 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 2nd OC formed the rearguard.
Under a restructuring plan aimed at reducing redundancy, the Second ROK Army was converted as the Second Operations Command in 2006, and the First and Third ROK Armies will be merged as the First Operations Command in 2010.
when units of the ROK Army first crossed the 38th Parallel, thus leading the UN Coalition north into North Korean territory for the first time.
The tanks include 880 M48 Patton
series and its upgrades such as M48A3K, M48A5, and M48A5K, 33 Soviet T-80U and 2 T-80UK (given by Russia to pay off debt), as well as the more recent K1 and K1A1 which bear a 120 mm smoothbore
gun
and are of local manufacture. The ROK Army is using approximately 2,500 tanks, including 1,524 K1A1 and K1 tanks.
The future replacement for the K1 and K1A1 MBT
s has been named the K2 Black Panther (흑표;黑豹 Heukpyo), which will be fitted with a 1500 hp MTU-based engine, 55-caliber 120 mm main gun with autoloader
. 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 Abrams
and German Leopard 2A6. The ROK Army is planning to field approximately 390 Black Panthers.
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 or M230-1 Chain gun Turret or MK-30 Chaingun Turret.
A replacement for K200 series IFVs are currently being tested, designated as K21
KNIFV (Korea Next generation Infantry Fighting Vehicle), which will have various capabilities for both land and naval warfare. The initial production is set for 2008, with the ROKA planning to field approximately 1,000 units until 2015.
The K21 KNIFV's chassis will be constructed entirely out of fiberglass, reducing the vehicle's load and enabling it to travel at higher speeds without bulky and powerful engines. When constructed, the NIFV will be lighter than other IFVs, including the American Bradley series and Russian BMP series, increasing both speed and payload.
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 powerful 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.
A new infantry rifle, the Daewoo K11 entered service in 2010. The overall concept of this weapon is similar to the American OICW.
"Jun" (准) equals equivalent, used for Warrant Officer and 1 star general to ensure that they are regarded as officer/general, although these ranks are lower than the same grade with "So" rank.
"Won" (元) equals principal, only used for Won-Su, General of the Army.
Each of these is coupled with "wi" (尉) equals company grade, "ryung" (領) equals field grade, and "jang" (將) equals general.
NCO rank is same as officer. "Ha" (下) equals lower; "Jung" (中) equals medium; "Sang" (上) equals high; "Won" (元) equals principal, because this title is named after Won-Su, to ensure that this rank is higher than Sang-sa.
Each of these is coupled with "Sa" (士) equals sergeant, although actual 'sergeant' rank is "Byeong-jang".
This system is due to the hanja
or Sino-Korean origin of the names.
LINK : http://i.kdaq.empas.com/imgs/qrsi.tsp/8061636/10565009/0/1/A/photo.jpg
¹: No one has yet held the rank of Won-su in the history of the ROK Armed Forces.
²: The Jun-wi (Warrant Officer)'s insignia is in gold color while the ones of Second Lieutenant and higher are in silver color.
Korean language
Korean is the official language of the country Korea, in both South and North. It is also one of the two official languages in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in People's Republic of China. There are about 78 million Korean speakers worldwide. In the 15th century, a national writing...
: 대한민국 육군, Hanja
Hanja
Hanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 大韓民國 陸軍, Revised Romanization: Daehanminguk Yuk-gun) is the largest of the military branches of the South Korean armed forces with 520,000 members as of 2010. This size is maintained through conscription; South Korean men must complete 21 months of military service between graduation of high school and the age of 35. The Republic of Korea maintains a well equipped army, making it one of the most powerful in Asia. Its primary function is to defend the country's terrain from enemies, most notably the DPRK.
Overview
The army is structured to operate in both the mountainous terrain native to the Korean PeninsulaKorean Peninsula
The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula in East Asia. It extends southwards for about 684 miles from continental Asia into the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by the Sea of Japan to the south, and the Yellow Sea to the west, the Korea Strait connecting the first two bodies of water.Until the end of...
(70% mountainous) and in North Korea with its 1 million strong Korean People's Army
Korean People's Army
The Korean People's Army , also known as the Inmin Gun, are the military forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kim Jong-il is the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and Chairman of the National Defence Commission...
, two-thirds of which is permanently garrisoned in the frontline near the DMZ
Korean Demilitarized Zone
The Korean Demilitarized Zone is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea. The DMZ cuts the Korean Peninsula roughly in half, crossing the 38th parallel on an angle, with the west end of the DMZ lying south of the parallel and...
. The current administration has initiated a program over the next two decades to design a purely domestic means of self-defense, whereby South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
would be able to fully counter a North Korean attack.
The ROK Army was formerly organized into 3 armies: the First Army (FROKA), Second Army (2nd OC), and Third Army (TROKA), each with its own headquarters, corps, and divisions. The Third Army was responsible for the defense of the capital as well as the western section of the DMZ
Korean Demilitarized Zone
The Korean Demilitarized Zone is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea. The DMZ cuts the Korean Peninsula roughly in half, crossing the 38th parallel on an angle, with the west end of the DMZ lying south of the parallel and...
. The First Army was responsible for the defense of the eastern section of the DMZ whereas the 2nd OC formed the rearguard.
Under a restructuring plan aimed at reducing redundancy, the Second ROK Army was converted as the Second Operations Command in 2006, and the First and Third ROK Armies will be merged as the First Operations Command in 2010.
History
The 1st of every October is celebrated in South Korea as the Armed Forces Day. It commemorates the day during the Korean WarKorean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
when units of the ROK Army first crossed the 38th Parallel, thus leading the UN Coalition north into North Korean territory for the first time.
Republic of Korea Army Headquarters (대한민국 육군본부)
- Guided Missile Command 'ENDLESSNESS' (유도탄사령부 '무극부대')
- Air Operations Command 'PHOENIX' (항공작전사령부 '불사조부대')
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- 1st Aviation Brigade (1항공여단)
- 2nd Aviation Brigade (2항공여단)
- Capital Defense Command 'SHIELD' (수도방위사령부 '방패부대')
- 1st Chemical Defense Brigade (1화학전방호여단)
- 122nd Signal Brigade (122통신여단)
- 10th Air Defense Artillery Group (10방공단)
- 1113rd Engineer Group (1113공병단)
- 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 CommandSpecial Warfare CommandRepublic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command is the military command of the Republic of Korea Army responsible for their special operation forces...
'LION' (특수전사령부 '사자부대')
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- 707th Special Mission Battalion 'WHITE TIGER' (707특수임무대대 '백호부대')
- Special Warfare Training Group (특수전교육단)
- 1st Special Forces Brigade (Airborne) 'EAGLE' (1공수특전여단 '독수리부대')
- 3rd Special Forces Brigade (Airborne) 'FLYING TIGER' (3공수특전여단 '비호부대')
- 5th Special Forces Brigade (Airborne) 'BLACK DRAGON' (5공수특전여단 '흑룡부대')
- 7th Special Forces Brigade (Airborne) 'PEGASUS' (7공수특전여단 '천마부대')
- 9th Special Forces Brigade (Airborne) 'GHOST' (9공수특전여단 '귀성부대')
- 11th Special Forces Brigade (Airborne) 'GOLDEN BAT' (11공수특전여단 '황금박쥐부대')
- 13th Special Forces Brigade (Airborne) 'BLACK PANTHER' (13공수특전여단 '흑표부대)
- Army Logistics Command 'SEVEN STARS' (육군군수사령부 '칠성대')
- Consolidated Maintenance Depot (종합정비창)
- Consolidated Supply Depot (종합보급창)
- Ammunition Support Command (탄약지원사령부)
- Army Training & Doctrine Command (육군교육사령부)
- Students' Central Military School (학생중앙군사학교)
- Army College (육군대학)
- Technical Schools (병과학교)
- Korea Combat Training Center(KCTC) (육군과학화전투훈련단)
- Korea Army Training Center (KATC) (육군훈련소)
- Army Combat Development Group (육군전투발전단)
- Korea Military Academy at Yeong-cheon (육군3사관학교)
- Korea Military Academy (육군사관학교)
-
First Republic of Korea Army (FROKA) (1야전군)
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- 3rd Armored Brigade 'LIGHTNING' (3기갑여단 '번개부대')
- 11th Field Artillery Group (11야전포병단)
- 12th Aviation Group (12항공단)
- 1107th Engineer Group (1107공병단)
- 1170th Engineer Group (1170공병단)
- 11th Signal Brigade (11통신여단)
- 11th Infantry Division (Mechanized) 'Hwa-rang' (11기계화보병사단 '화랑부대')
- 1st Logistical Support Command (1군수지원사령부)
- II CorpsII Corps (South Korea)-History:II Corps was created July 24, 1950, just before the Battle of Pusan Perimeter.II Corps consisted of the 1st Division and 6th Infantry Division....
'DOUBLE DRAGONS' (2군단 '쌍용부대')
- 2nd Artillery Brigade (2포병여단)
- 2nd Engineer Brigade (2공병여단)
- 102nd Signal Brigade (102통신여단)
- 702nd Special Assault Regiment (702특공연대)
- 302nd Security Regiment (302경비연대)
- 7th Infantry Division7th Infantry Division (South Korea)The 7th Infantry Division was a military formation of the Republic of Korea Army during the 20th Century.After the fall of Taejon, only had a few hundred survivors to participate in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter....
'SEVEN STARS' (7보병사단 '칠성부대') - 15th Infantry Division 'VICTORY' (15보병사단 '승리부대')
- 27th Infantry Division 'LET'S WIN' (27보병사단 '이기자부대')
- III CorpsIII Corps (South Korea)The III Corps was a corps of the Republic of Korea Army that was formed on October 16, 1950. and initially consisted of 2nd, 5th and 8th Infantry Division.It was Command by Major General Yu Jae Hung.- The Second Spring Offensive :...
'MOUNTAINS' (3군단 '산악부대')
- 7th Infantry Division
- 3rd Artillery Brigade (3포병여단)
- 3rd Engineer Brigade (3공병여단)
- 103rd Signal Brigade (103통신여단)
- 703rd Special Assault Regiment (703특공연대)
- 303rd Security Regiment (303경비연대)
- 2nd Infantry Division2nd Infantry Division (South Korea)The 2nd Infantry Division is a military formation of the Republic of Korea Army . It was formed during the Korean War and was part of the defensive line in the Third Battle of Seoul....
'ANGRY WAVE' (2보병사단 '노도부대') - 12th Infantry Division 'EULJI' (12보병사단 '을지부대')
- 21st Infantry Division 'MT. BAEKDU' (21보병사단 '백두산부대')
- VIII Corps 'LOYAL DRAGON OF THE EAST SEA' (8군단 '동해충용부대')
- 2nd Infantry Division
- 8th Artillery Brigade (8포병여단)
- 102nd Infantry Brigade(Mechanized) 'SUNRISE' (102기계화보병여단 '일출부대')
- 22nd Infantry Division 'YULGOK' (22보병사단 '율곡부대')
- 23rd Infantry Division 'IRON WALL' (23보병사단 '철벽부대')
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Army Second Operations Command (육군 2작전사령부)
(This is the former Second Republic of Korea Army (SROKA))-
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- 12nd Signal Group (12정보통신단)
- 21st Aviation Group (21항공단)
- 201st Special Assault Brigade (201특공여단)
- 203rd Special Assault Brigade (203특공여단)
- 1117th Engineer Group (1117공병단)
- 1120th Engineer Group (1120공병단)
- 5th Logistical Support Command (5군수지원사령부)
- 31st Homeland Defense Infantry Division (31향토보병사단)
- 32nd Homeland Defense Infantry Division (32향토보병사단)
- 35th Homeland Defense Infantry Division (35향토보병사단)
- 37th Homeland Defense Infantry Division (37향토보병사단)
- 39th Homeland Defense Infantry Division (39향토보병사단)
- 50th Homeland Defense Infantry Division (50향토보병사단)
- 53rd Homeland Defense Infantry Division (53향토보병사단)
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Third Republic of Korea Army (TROKA) (3야전군)
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- 1st Air Defense Artillery Brigade (1방공포병여단)
- 1101st Engineer Group (1101공병단)
- 1173rd Engineer Group (1173공병단)
- 1175th Engineer Group (1175공병단)
- 2nd Logistical Support Command (2군수지원사령부)
- 5th Supply Unit (5보급대)
- 3rd Logistical Support Command (3군수지원사령부)
- Capital Corps 'DEVOTION' (수도군단 '충의부대')
- Capital Artillery Brigade (수도포병여단)
- 100th Signal Brigade (100통신여단)
- 700th Special Assault Regiment (700특공연대)
- 17th Infantry Division 'LIGHTNING' (17보병사단 '번개부대')
- 51st Infantry Division 'TOTAL VICTORY' (51보병사단 '전승부대')
- I CorpsI Corps (South Korea)I Corps was created July 24, 1950, just before the Battle of Pusan Perimeter.I Corps consisted of the 8th Infantry Division and the Capital Division....
'GWANGGAETO' (1군단 '광개토부대')
- 2nd Armored Brigade 'LOYALTY' (2기갑여단 '충성부대')
- 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 Division1st Infantry Division (South Korea)The 1st Infantry Division is a military formation of the Republic of Korea Army's I Corps. The division was established on 12 May 1945 under the command of Colonel Suk-won Kim. It is based around three infantry regiments:The division was the first units of the ROK Army to be attacked by the North...
'FORWARD' (1보병사단 '전진부대')
- 1st Infantry Division
- 11th Infantry Regiment (11보병연대(GOP))
- 12th Infantry Regiment (12보병연대(GOP))
- 15th Infantry Regiment (15보병연대)
- 9th Infantry Division9th Infantry Division (South Korea)The 9th Infantry Division , also known as White Horse after the victory of Battle of White Horse, is an infantry division of the Republic of Korea Army...
'WHITE HORSE' (9보병사단 '백마부대')
- 9th Infantry Division
- 28th Infantry Regiment (28보병연대)
- 29th Infantry Regiment (29보병연대)
- 30th Infantry Regiment (30보병연대)
- 25th Infantry Division25th Infantry Division (South Korea)The 25th Infantry Division , also known as Biryong , was one of three infantry divisions founded near the end of the Korean War. One of the regiment's reconnaissance companies from the 25th infantry division found the North Korean-made 1st infiltration tunnel on November 15, 1974....
'FLYING DRAGON' (25보병사단 '비룡부대')
- 25th Infantry Division
- 70th Infantry Regiment (70보병연대)
- 71st Infantry Regiment (71보병연대)
- 72nd Infantry Regiment (72보병연대)
- 30th Infantry Division (Mechanized) 'CERTAIN VICTORY' (30기계화보병사단 '필승부대')
- 90th Infantry Brigade (Mechanized) (90기계화보병여단)
- 91st Infantry Brigade (Mechanized) (91기계화보병여단)
- 92nd Infantry Brigade (Mechanized) (92기계화보병여단)
- 72nd Reserve Infantry Division 'OLYMPIC' (72동원보병사단'올림픽부대')
- V Corps 'VICTORIOUS ADVANCE' (5군단 '승진부대')
- 1st Armored Brigade 'BLITZKRIEG' (1기갑여단 '전격부대')
- 5th Engineer Brigade (5공병여단)
- 105th Signal Brigade (105통신여단)
- 15th Aviation Group (15항공단)
- 705th Special Assault Regiment (705특공연대)
- 305th Security Regiment (305경비연대)
- 5th Artillery Brigade 'VICTORIOUS ADVANCE' (5포병여단 '승진포병부대')
- 1st Field Artillery Group (1야전포병단)
- 5th Field Artillery Group (5야전포병단)
- 8th Mobilization Artillery Group (8동원포병단)
- 3rd Infantry Division3rd Infantry Division (South Korea)-History:The 3rd Infantry Division is a unit of the Republic of Korea Army. First formed as the 3rd brigade on December 1, 1947. On December 24 1949, the division conducted Mungyeong massacre...
'SKELETON' (3보병사단 '백골부대')
- 3rd Infantry Division
- 18th Infantry Regiment (18보병연대(GOP))
- 22nd Infantry Regiment (22보병연대(GOP))
- 23rd Infantry Regiment (23보병연대)
- 6th Infantry Division6th Infantry Division (South Korea)-History:The 6th Infantry Division was a military formation of the Republic of Korea Army during the 20th Century. The Division consisted of the 2nd, 7th, and 19th Regiments....
'BLUE STAR' (6보병사단 '청성부대')
- 6th Infantry Division
- 2nd Infantry Regiment (2보병연대(GOP))
- 7th Infantry Regiment (7보병연대(GOP))
- 19th Infantry Regiment (19보병연대)
- 8th Infantry Division8th Infantry Division (South Korea)The 8th Infantry Division was a military formation of the Republic of Korea Army during the 20th Century.-History:The unit comprises the 10th, 16th and 21st Regiments. The 16th Infantry Regiment was originally activated as the 16th Regiment on October 28, 1948 at Masan and was first commanded by...
(Mechanized) 'TUMBLER' (8기계화보병사단 '오뚜기부대') - VI Corps 'ADVANCE' (6군단 '진군부대')
- 8th Infantry Division
- 5th Armored Brigade 'IRON STORM' (5기갑여단 '철풍부대')
- 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 'KEY' (5보병사단 '열쇠부대')
- 26th Infantry Division (Mechanized) 'GROUP OF FIRES' (26기계화보병사단 '불무리부대')
- 28th Infantry Division 'INVINCIBLE TYPHOON' (28보병사단 '무적태풍부대')
- VII Corps 'VANGUARD OF NORTHERN ADVANCE' (7군단 '북진선봉부대')
- 7th Artillery Brigade (7포병여단)
- 7th Engineer Brigade (7공병여단)
- 107th Signal Brigade (107통신여단)
- 17th Aviation Group (17항공단)
- 7th Assault Unit (7강습대)
- Capital Mechanized Infantry Division 'TIGER DIVISION' (수도기계화보병사단 '맹호사단')
- 20th Infantry Division (Mechanized) 'DECISIVE BATTLE' (20기계화보병사단 '결전부대')
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Equipment of the Republic of Korea Army
The army consists of 520,000 troops, 2,300 tanks, 2,500 armored vehicles, 5,200 artillery pieces and MRLs, 30 guided missile systems, and 600 helicopters as of 2010.The tanks include 880 M48 Patton
M48 Patton
The M48 Patton is a medium tank that was designed in the United States. It was the third and final tank to be officially named after General George S. Patton, commander of the U.S. Third Army during World War II and one of the earliest American advocates for the use of tanks in battle It was a...
series and its upgrades such as M48A3K, M48A5, and M48A5K, 33 Soviet T-80U and 2 T-80UK (given by Russia to pay off debt), as well as the more recent K1 and K1A1 which bear a 120 mm smoothbore
Smoothbore
A smoothbore weapon is one which has a barrel without rifling. Smoothbores range from handheld firearms to powerful tank guns and large artillery mortars.-History of firearms and rifling:...
gun
Gun
A gun is a muzzle or breech-loaded projectile-firing weapon. There are various definitions depending on the nation and branch of service. A "gun" may be distinguished from other firearms in being a crew-served weapon such as a howitzer or mortar, as opposed to a small arm like a rifle or pistol,...
and are of local manufacture. The ROK Army is using approximately 2,500 tanks, including 1,524 K1A1 and K1 tanks.
The future replacement for the K1 and K1A1 MBT
Main battle tank
A main battle tank , also known as a battle tank or universal tank, is a tank that fills the heavy direct fire role of many modern armies. They were originally conceived to replace the light, medium, heavy and super-heavy tanks. Development was spurred onwards in the Cold War with the development...
s has been named the K2 Black Panther (흑표;黑豹 Heukpyo), which will be fitted with a 1500 hp MTU-based engine, 55-caliber 120 mm main gun with autoloader
Autoloader
An autoloader or auto-loader is a mechanical aid or replacement for the personnel that load ordnance into crew-served weapons, such as tanks and artillery...
. The new tank will also feature RADAR
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
equipment as well as all-bearing laser
Laser
A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons. The term "laser" originated as an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation...
detection and defense systems, anti-missile grenade launcher, and heavy reactive armor and sensor package comparable to the American M1A2 Abrams
M1 Abrams
The M1 Abrams is a third-generation main battle tank produced in the United States. It is named after General Creighton Abrams, former Army Chief of Staff and Commander of US military forces in Vietnam from 1968 to 1972. The M1 is a well armed, heavily armored, and highly mobile tank designed for...
and German Leopard 2A6. The ROK Army is planning to field approximately 390 Black Panthers.
In addition South Korea already manufactures the indigenous K-9 howitzer
K-9 howitzer
The K9 Thunder is a South Korean self-propelled 155 mm howitzer developed by Samsung Techwin for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. It was developed to supplement and eventually replace the K55 self-propelled howitzers currently in South Korean service...
, 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 or M230-1 Chain gun Turret or MK-30 Chaingun Turret.
A replacement for K200 series IFVs are currently being tested, designated as K21
K300 NIFV
A replacement for the South Korean K200 series infantry fighting vehicles is currently being tested, designated as K300 or XK21 KNIFV . The initial production is set for 2008, with the ROKA planning to field approximately 466 units...
KNIFV (Korea Next generation Infantry Fighting Vehicle), which will have various capabilities for both land and naval warfare. The initial production is set for 2008, with the ROKA planning to field approximately 1,000 units until 2015.
The K21 KNIFV's chassis will be constructed entirely out of fiberglass, reducing the vehicle's load and enabling it to travel at higher speeds without bulky and powerful engines. When constructed, the NIFV will be lighter than other IFVs, including the American Bradley series and Russian BMP series, increasing both speed and payload.
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 powerful Russian-built AFVs, including BMP-3
BMP-3
The BMP-3 is a Russian amphibious infantry fighting vehicle, successor to the BMP-1 and BMP-2. BMP stands for Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty .- Production history :...
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
Mistral missile
Mistral is an infrared homing surface-to-air missile manufactured by the European multinational company MBDA missile systems . Based on the French SATCP , the portable missile later to become the Mistral began development in 1974...
MANPADS.
A new infantry rifle, the Daewoo K11 entered service in 2010. The overall concept of this weapon is similar to the American OICW.
Military ranks
Officer ranks can be learned fairly easily if one sees the pattern. "So" (小) equals small; "Jung" (中) equals medium; "Dae" (大) equals large."Jun" (准) equals equivalent, used for Warrant Officer and 1 star general to ensure that they are regarded as officer/general, although these ranks are lower than the same grade with "So" rank.
"Won" (元) equals principal, only used for Won-Su, General of the Army.
Each of these is coupled with "wi" (尉) equals company grade, "ryung" (領) equals field grade, and "jang" (將) equals general.
NCO rank is same as officer. "Ha" (下) equals lower; "Jung" (中) equals medium; "Sang" (上) equals high; "Won" (元) equals principal, because this title is named after Won-Su, to ensure that this rank is higher than Sang-sa.
Each of these is coupled with "Sa" (士) equals sergeant, although actual 'sergeant' rank is "Byeong-jang".
This system is due to the hanja
Hanja
Hanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
or Sino-Korean origin of the names.
LINK : http://i.kdaq.empas.com/imgs/qrsi.tsp/8061636/10565009/0/1/A/photo.jpg
Commissioned officers
| ROK Army rank | ROK Army insignia |
| Won-su Wonsu Wonsu is a very high military rank of the armed forces of the Republic of Korea and of North Korea.-South Korea:Wonsu, known in English as "General of the Army of the Republic of Korea", is the highest military rank of the Republic of Korea armed forces and is the combined equivalent of a Field... ¹ (General of the Army) |
N/A |
| Dae-jang Daejang Daejang is a senior military rank of the Korean Peninsula, used by both North and South Korea. It is considered the combined equivalent of a General and Admiral in other nations... (General) |
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| Jung-jang (Lieutenant General) |
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| So-jang (Major General) |
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| Jun-jang (Brigadier General) |
|
| Dae-ryeong Taeryong Daeryeong is a Korean military rank used by the armed forces of South Korea. The rank is denoted by three large starbursts worn as a collar insignia. The rank is uniform throughout the Korean Army, Air force, and Navy. The equivalent rank is most western militaries in Colonel, with Captain... (Colonel) |
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| Jung-ryeong Chungryong Chungryong , often spelled Chung-Ryong, is a South Korean officer rank which is considered the equivalent of a Lieutenant Colonel and also to a Commander in the Republic of Korea Navy.... (Lieutenant Colonel) |
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| So-ryeong Soryong Soryong is a South Korean rank which is equvialent to a Major and to a Lieutenant Commander. The South Korean insignia consists of a single star burst collar insignia.... (Major) |
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| Dae-wi Daewi Daewi is a military rank in both South Korean and North Korean militaries.In the South Korean military, Daewi is a Korean military rank used in the South Korea military... (Captain) |
|
| Jung-wi Chungwi Chungwi is the second most junior Korean officer rank in both the militaries of North and South Korea. It is considered the equivalent of a First Lieutenant in most other militaries.... (First Lieutenant) |
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| So-wi Sowi Sowi is the junior most Korean officer rank in both the militaries of North and South Korea. It is considered the equivalent of a Second Lieutenant in most other militaries.... (Second Lieutenant) |
Warrant officers
| ROK Army rank | ROK Army insignia |
| Jun-wi Junwi Junwi is a Korean military rank which is the equivalent to a Warrant Officer in other countries. The rank of Junwi only exists in South Korea with the North Korean military having no equivalent.... (Warrant Officer) |
Non-Commissioned officers
| ROK Army rank | ROK Army insignia |
| Won-sa (Sergeant Major) |
|
| Sang-sa Sangsa Sangsa is a Korean military rank used by both the armed forces of North and South Korea. A Sangsa is the equivalent to a First Sergeant in most other militaries.... (Master Sergeant) |
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| Jung-sa Chungsa Jungsa is a Korean military rank used by the armed forces of South and North Koreas. A Jungsa is the equivalent to a Sergeant First Class.The rank of Jungsa is junior to a Sangsa in North and South Korea.... (Sergeant First Class) |
|
| Ha-sa (Staff Sergeant) |
Enlisted
| ROK Army rank | ROK Army insignia |
| Byeong-jang (Sergeant) |
|
| Sang-byeong (Corporal) |
|
| Il-byeong (Private First Class) |
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| Yi-byeong (Private) |
|
| Hulyeonbyeong Byeong "'Byong"' or "'Byeong"' 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.The rank of Byeong is divided into four classes those being:... (Recruit) |
¹: No one has yet held the rank of Won-su in the history of the ROK Armed Forces.
²: The Jun-wi (Warrant Officer)'s insignia is in gold color while the ones of Second Lieutenant and higher are in silver color.
External links
- Ministry of National Defense (Korean)
- Ministry of National Defense (English)
- Republic of Korea Army (Korean)
- Republic of Korea Army (English)
- Republic of Korea Navy (Korean)
- Republic of Korea Navy (English)
- Republic of Korea Air Force (Korean)
- Republic of Korea Air Force (English)
- Republic of Korea Marine Corps (Korean)
- Republic of Korea Reserved Forces (Korean)
- Republic of Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff (Korean)
- Military Manpower Administration (Korean)
- Military Manpower Administration (English)