Republic of Korea Army
Encyclopedia : R : RE : REP : Republic of Korea Army
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The Republic of Korea Army (ROK Army, ROKA, Korean:대한 육군) 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 mountanous terrain native to the Korean Peninsula (70% mountanous) 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.
Overview
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 (ROKA), each with its own head quarters, corps, and divisions. The First Army was responsible for the defense of the capital as well as the western section of the DMZ. The Third 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, 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.
The future replacement for the K1A1 MBT has been baptized the XK2, which will be fitted with a German MTU 1500 hp Europowerpack engine, 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 system, anti-missile grenade launcher, and heavy reactive armor and sensor package comparable to the American M1A2 and French LeClerc.
In addition South Korea already manufactures the indigenous K-9 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.
A replacement for K200 series IFVs are currently being tested, designated as K300 or K3 NIFV (Next-generation Infantry Fighting Vehicle), which will have various capabilities for both land and naval warfare.
The ROK Army also fields the mobile K-SAM "Pegasus"(천마), 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 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 ERYX ATGM launchers and Mistral MANPADS.
Military Ranks
General ranks
| South Korean rank | South Korean insignia |
| Wonsu | 
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| Taejang | 
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| Chungjang | 
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| Sojang | 
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| Chunjang | 
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Officer ranks
| South Korean rank | South Korean insignia |
| Taeryong | 
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| Chungryong | 
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| Soryong | 
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| Taewi | 
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| Chungwi | 
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| Sowi | 
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Enlisted ranks
| South Korean rank | South Korean insignia |
| Wonsa | 
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| Sangsa | 
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| Chungsa | 
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| Hasa | 
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| Byongjang | 
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| Sangbyong | 
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| Ilbyong | 
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| Yibyong | 
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| Mudungbyong | No Insignia |
External links
- [Republic of Korea Army] (In Korean)
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