View source for Republic of Korea Armed Forces

{{Short description|Combined military forces of South Korea}}
{{About|the South Korean military|the North Korean military|Korean People's Army}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox national military
| name = Republic of Korea Armed Forces
| native_name = {{native name|ko|대한민국 국군}}
| image = Flag of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces.svg
| caption = Flag of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces
| founded = {{start date and age|1948|8|15|df=yes}}
| branches = {{tree list}}
* {{Army|South Korea}}
* {{Naval|South Korea}}
** {{Marines|South Korea}}
* {{Air force|South Korea}}
{{Tree list/end}}
| headquarters = [[Ministry of National Defense (South Korea)|Ministry of National Defense]], [[Yongsan District]], [[Seoul]]
| commander-in-chief = {{Flagicon image|Flag of the President of South Korea.svg|size=25px}} [[President of South Korea|President]] [[Lee Jae-myung]]
| commander-in-chief_title = [[President of South Korea|Commander-in-Chief]]
| minister = {{Flagicon image|Flag of the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Korea.svg|size=25px}} [[Ahn Gyu-back]]
| minister_title = [[Minister of National Defense (South Korea)|Minister of National Defense]]
| chief_of_staff = {{Flagicon image|Flag of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Republic of Korea.jpg|size=25px}} [[Jiang (rank)#South Korea|General]] [[Jin Young Seung]], [[Republic of Korea Air Force|ROKAF]]
| chief_of_staff_title = [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (South Korea)|Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]]
| age = 18
| conscription = [[Conscription in South Korea|18–28 years of age]]:<br />18 months (Army & Marines)<br />20 months (Navy)<br />21 months (Air Force)
| active = 500,000 (2025)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-11 |title=South Korea military shrinks as population declines |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c79llljy4qeo |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>
| ranked = 
| reserve = 3,100,000 (2022)<ref name="2022 DEFENSE WHITE PAPER">{{cite web|url=https://www.mnd.go.kr/user/mnd/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_202307280154039760.pdf|title=2022 DEFENSE WHITE PAPER|publisher=[[Ministry of National Defense (South Korea)|Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea]]|date=28 July 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115070043/https://www.mnd.go.kr/user/mnd/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_202307280154039760.pdf|archivedate=15 January 2024|accessdate=15 January 2024|author=}} p. 335</ref> ([[List of countries by number of military and paramilitary personnel|ranked 2nd]])
| deployed = [[#Overseas deployments|1,005]] (2022)
| amount = [[South Korean won|₩]]61.24&nbsp;trillion <br />{{USD|46.3&nbsp;billion|link=yes}} (2025)<ref name="ROK MND budget 2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.mnd.go.kr/mbshome/mbs/mndEN/subview.jsp?id=mndEN_030900000000|title=Defense Buget|publisher=[[Ministry of National Defense (South Korea)|Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea]]|date=2025|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250507000831/https://www.mnd.go.kr/mbshome/mbs/mndEN/subview.jsp?id=mndEN_030900000000|archivedate=7 May 2025|accessdate=7 May 2025|author=}}</ref><ref name="YNA 2024-08-27">{{cite web|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240826007700315|title=S. Korea seeks 3.6 pct rise in defense budget for 2025|publisher=[[Yonhap News Agency]]|date=27 August 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250507001713/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20240826007700315|archivedate=7 May 2025|accessdate=7 May 2025|author1=Chae Yun-hwan}}</ref> ([[List of countries by military expenditures|ranked 11th]])
| percent_GDP = 2.32% (2025)<ref name="ROK MND budget 2025" />
| domestic_suppliers = * DI Optical
* Farymann & TZEN
* [[Hanwha Aerospace]]
* [[Hanwha Ocean]]
* [[Hanwha Group|Hanwha Systems]]
* [[HD Hyundai Heavy Industries]]
* [[HD Hyundai Infracore]]
* [[HJ Shipbuilding & Construction]]
* [[Hyundai Rotem]]
* [[Hyundai WIA]]
* [[Kia|Kia Corporation]]
* [[Korea Aerospace Industries]]
* [[Korean Air]]
* [[LIG Nex1]]
* [[Poongsan Corporation]]
* Samyang Chemical
* [[Samyang Comtech]]
* [[Satrec Initiative]]
* SG Safety Corporation
* [[SNT Dynamics]]
* [[SNT Motiv]]
| foreign_suppliers = * {{EU}}
**{{FRA}}
**{{GER}}
**{{ESP}}
**{{ITA}}
**{{NED}}
* {{ISR}}
* {{UK}}
* {{USA}}
| history = {{plainlist|
* [[Korean War]] (1950–1953)
* [[Vietnam War]] (1965–1973)
* [[Gulf War|Persian Gulf War]] (1990–1991)
* [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]] (2001–2016)
* [[Iraq War]] (2003–2011)}}
| ranks = [[Comparative military ranks of Korea]]<br>[[Military ranks of South Korea]]
}}

The '''Republic of Korea Armed Forces''' ({{korean|hangul=대한민국 국군|hanja=大韓民國國軍|rr=Daehanminguk Gukgun|lit=Republic of Korea National Military}}), also known as the '''ROK Armed Forces''', are the [[Military|armed forces]] of [[South Korea]]. The ROK Armed Forces is one of the largest and most powerful standing armed forces in the world with a reported personnel strength of 3,600,000 in 2022 (500,000 active and 3,100,000 reserve).<ref name="2022 DEFENSE WHITE PAPER" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/264443/the-worlds-largest-armies-based-on-active-force-level/|title = Largest armies in the world by personnel 2020}}</ref>

The Republic of Korea Armed Forces traces its roots back to the establishment of the Korean Republic in 1919 wherein its armed wing was called the [[Korean Liberation Army]] and it conducted warfare against the Japanese occupation by conducting large-scale offensives, assassinations, bombings, sabotage, and search and rescue missions. Formally founded in 1948, following the establishment of the [[South Korean government]] after the liberation of Korea in 1945, South Korea's military forces are responsible for maintaining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state and also engage in [[peacekeeping]] operations, [[Humanitarianism|humanitarian]] and [[Emergency management|disaster relief]] efforts worldwide.

==History==
{{See also|History of South Korea}}
[[File:March of the South Korean Constabulary of Police Reserve on 15 January 1946.jpg|left|thumb|March of the Korean Constabulary, the parent of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, on 15 January 1946]]
[[File:First conscription examination conducted on 16 December 1949.jpg|left|thumb|First [[Conscription in South Korea|conscription]] examination conducted on 16 December 1949 after founding of Republic of Korea]]

The origin of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces can be traced back to the [[Korean Liberation Army|Korean Independence Army]], which was established by the [[Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea|Provisional Government of Korea in exile]] in [[Chongqing|Chongking]], [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]] in 1940 during the [[Korea under Japanese rule|Japanese rule of Korea]]. Many of its members became part of the South Korean armed forces later.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.joins.com/article/20863567|script-title=ko:[커버스토리] 대한민국임시정부가 만든 광복군, 어떤 군대였을까|date=2016-11-13|website=[[JoongAng Ilbo]]|language=ko|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref> In addition, some ethnic Korean [[National Revolutionary Army|Kuomintang]] and [[Manchukuo Imperial Army|Manchukuo soldiers]] also contributed to the forces.

After [[Korea]] was liberated from the [[Empire of Japan]] on August 15, 1945, the Korean Constabulary ({{Korean|hangul=남조선국방경비대|labels=no}}) and the Korean Coast Guard (조선해안경비대, organized by [[Sohn Won-yil]] and others) were established through the [[United States Army Military Government in Korea]]. The Korean Constabulary and the Korean Coast Guard became the [[Republic of Korea Army]] and [[Republic of Korea Navy]] respectively, and formed the Republic of Korea Armed Forces after the [[First Republic of Korea|South Korean government]] was established on August 15, 1948. The [[Republic of Korea Air Force]] was founded in October 1949.

The South Korean armed forces remained largely [[constabulary]] forces until the outbreak of the [[Korean War]] on June 25, 1950, requiring the [[United Nations]] to intervene with [[United States]]-led forces. The South Korean military rapidly developed during the Korean War, despite suffering enormous casualties. As the [[Soviet Union|Soviets]] had armed North Korea, the U.S. armed and trained the South Korean military throughout the Korean War. After the Korean War, South Korea established a joint military partnership with the United States, termed the ROK-U.S. Alliance,<ref name="Thurman2">{{cite web|url=http://www.koreanconfidential.com/northkoreavssouthkorea.php|title=North Korea vs South Korea|date=22 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410012657/http://www.koreanconfidential.com/northkoreavssouthkorea.php|archive-date=10 April 2013|url-status=dead|access-date=26 March 2013}}</ref> as outlined by the [[Mutual Defense Treaty (United States–South Korea)|Mutual Defense Treaty]]. During the [[Vietnam War]], the ROK Army and ROK Marines were among those fighting alongside [[South Vietnam]] and the United States.

In the 1970s, through the [[Park Chung Hee]] Administration's "''Yulgok'' Plan" ({{Korean|hangul=율곡사업|labels=no}}), South Korea began to build up self-reliant, national defense capability.<ref name="National Museum of Korean Contemporary History">{{cite web|url=https://www.much.go.kr/L/Z6oA5C4Axy.do|script-title=ko:1970년대 방위산업 육성 : 자주국방의 토대 구축|publisher=[[National Museum of Korean Contemporary History]]|date=|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729094452/https://www.much.go.kr/L/Z6oA5C4Axy.do|archivedate=29 July 2023|accessdate=29 July 2023|author=}}</ref> The name derived from a scholar and an advisor to the king during the Joseon Dynasty. He had called out for an army of 10,000 men to keep the nation safe from any attacks. During South Korea's period of rapid growth in the 1980s, the military modernized, benefiting from several government-sponsored technology transfer projects and indigenous defense capability initiatives. In the 1990s, 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, and as of 2022, there are currently a total of 85 defense contractors in South Korea.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://defensejobfair.net/jobs/list_appoint.asp|script-title=ko:방산업체 지정 현황|publisher=Defense Job Fair|date=2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240406013416/https://defensejobfair.net/jobs/list_appoint.asp|archivedate=6 April 2024|accessdate=6 April 2024|author1=}}</ref>

Today, the South Korean armed forces enjoy a good mix of avant-garde as well as older [[conventional weapon]]s. Its capabilities include many sophisticated Western weapon systems, complemented by a growing and increasingly more advanced indigenous defense manufacturing sector. For example, by taking advantage of the strong local shipbuilding industry, the ROK Navy has embarked on a rigorous modernization plan with ambitions to become a [[blue-water navy]] in the 2020s.<ref name="globalbearings.net2">[http://www.globalbearings.net/2011/11/north-vs-south-korea-military_06.html "North vs. South Korea: A Military Comparison."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108223327/http://www.globalbearings.net/2011/11/north-vs-south-korea-military_06.html|date=2012-01-08}} ''Global Bearings,'' 7 November 2011.</ref>

==Future==
The ROK military forces are undergoing some preparation for assuming wartime operational control of the ROK's defenses.<ref name="Thurman2" /> Several cutting-edge military systems are currently being inducted.<ref name="globalbearings.net2" />

Based on the [[Moon Jae-in]] Administration's 'Defense Reform 2.0' (국방개혁 2.0) and in line with the overall troop drawdown scheme, the number of generals and admirals will be reduced by 17 percent from the current 436 to 360 by 2022 to reduce the bloated top command apparatus. This means the removal of 66 general-level positions for the Army and five each for the Navy and Air Force. At the same time, the ROK Armed Forces will see a reduction in active duty personnel from 640,000 to 517,000, and the length of compulsory military service will also be reduced to 18 – 22 months by 2022.<ref name=":1" />

'Defense Reform 2.0' is also intended to make the ROK military more independent to prepare for the ROK military retaining operational control authority in wartime (OPCON transfer), rather than American general taking command. Initial operational control capability was verified in 2019, with full operational capability planned for 2021, and full mission capability planned for 2022.<ref name=38north-20210611>{{cite web |url=https://www.38north.org/2021/06/as-the-dust-settles-how-healthy-is-the-rok-us-alliance/ |title=As the Dust Settles, How Healthy is the ROK-US Alliance? |last=Yoon |first=Sukjoon |publisher=The Henry L. Stimson Center |work=[[38 North]] |date=11 June 2021 |access-date=15 June 2021}}</ref>

==Defense strategy==
[[File:Armed Forces Day of South Korea (1973) 1.jpg|left|thumb|President [[Park Chung Hee]] inspecting troops at the 1973 [[Armed Forces Day (South Korea)|Republic of Korea Armed Forces Day]] parade]]

The signing of the [[Korean Armistice Agreement]] in 1953 by the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), ended the active hostilities of the Korean War. Since an official peace treaty has not been signed by North and South Korea, defensive actions needed to be implemented by the Republic of Korea Army in case of another North Korean attack.

During the Cold War era, a variety of anti-tank barricades were constructed over roads and railroad tracks leading in and out of Seoul, as well as within the Gyeonggi Province. The anti-tank barricades or "rock drops" are made up of giant concrete blocks mounted on thin walls, made to look like fake bridges and overpasses, that lead to nowhere but house hundreds of tons of rubble. 
These structures are rigged with explosives and are designed to be blown up by the South Korean Army which would drop the rubble blocking roads and railways. Along with the anti-tank barricades, the South Korean Army placed barbed-wire fences along the Han River and hundreds of 3-foot tall concrete pillars arranged in rows, known as "dragon teeth", across open fields. During the 1970s and 1980s when most of these structures were built, the goal was to slow down enemy tanks, troops, and other vehicles and to buy time for South Korean civilians to flee from the invading North Korean forces, as well as to allow for the Republic of Korea and the United States Army to employ troops to defensive positions. 
The South Korean Ministry of National Defense claims that the anti-tank barricades are inspected regularly for safety concerns, but the barricades show cracks and signs of erosion.

Local governments and civilians are now demanding that the anti-tank barricades be removed as they pose a great safety risk, obstruct new development, and many people believe have outlived their purpose. There are about 250,000 vehicles a day that pass by the barricades and their vibrations contribute to weakening the structures. Despite safety concerns, tearing down barricades is a complicated matter.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chyung |first1=Eun-ju |title=Cold War hangover: How safe are Korea's anti-tank barricades? |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2017/12/281_240981.html |website=[[The Korea Times]] |access-date=5 May 2022 |date=16 Dec 2017}}</ref>

Since North Korea lost security and economic support from Russia in 1990 and China in 1992, a full-ground force assault on South Korea is unlikely according to military analysts. North Korea has changed its military tactics and now focuses on long-range and covert strikes. Through long-range artillery barrages, missile strikes, or chemical weapons that are used to deliberately attack non-American targets and short of all-out war, the North could seek to hold Seoul hostage with the hope of renegotiating a new status quo.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Cha |first1=Victor |title=Hawk Engagement and Preventive Defense on the Korean Peninsula |journal=International Security |date=2022 |volume=27 |issue=1 |pages=40–78 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3092152 |access-date=5 May 2022 |publisher=The MIT Press|doi=10.1162/016228802320231226 |jstor=3092152 |s2cid=57570533 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Special warfare units are expected to use wartime tunnels or various infiltration means such as submarines, air-cushion vehicles (ACVs), AN-2 aircraft, and helicopters to infiltrate the forward and rear areas and conduct hybrid operations in the form of striking major units and facilities, assassinating key figures, and disturbing the rear area.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |title=2020 Defense White Paper |url=https://www.mnd.go.kr/user/mnd/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_202106300300426680.pdf |publisher=Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea |access-date=5 May 2022 |language=English |date=June 2021 |archive-date=9 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809223822/https://www.mnd.go.kr/user/mnd/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_202106300300426680.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The Defense Reform Base Plan was originally presented by President Roh Moo-hyun in December 2006,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hong |first1=Kyudok |title=The Long-Delayed Defense Reform in South Korea |journal=The Korean Journal of Defense Analysis |date=September 2016 |volume=28 |issue=3 |page=336}}</ref> but after years of evolution, and political and military pushback the reform was launched by President Moon Jae-in's administration. The ROK Armed Forces will firmly implement Defense Reform 2.0 to proactively respond to changes in the security environment and omnidirectional security threats, as well as support peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula based on strength. To this end, the ROK Armed Forces will work toward "steadfast national defense.<ref name="auto"/>

On 27 December 2022 North Korea sent five drones over the border, one reaching Seoul. All five returned to the North, despite a five hour chase involving fighter jets and attack helicopters, with some 100 rounds being fired. A [[KAI KT-1 Woongbi]] crashed although both crew survived. The [[Joint Chiefs of Staff (South Korea)|Joint Chiefs of Staff]] released a statement in which it acknowledges it can stop attack drones. However, its ability to stop smaller spy drones is "limited". A senior official, Kang Shin-chul, said: "Our military's lack of preparedness has caused a lot of concern to the people...actively employ detection devices to spot the enemy's drone from an early stage and aggressively deploy strike assets". The South Korean President [[Yoon Suk-yeol]] has indicated that South Korea will invest in stealthy drones that could penetrate North Korea with the creation of a new military unit.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-64100974 |title= North Korea drones: South's military apologises for pursuit failure |author= Kathryn Armstrong |work=[[BBC News]] |date=27 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-64100974 |title= North Korean drone reaches north of Seoul |author= Jean Mackenzie in Seoul & Robert Plummer in London |work=[[BBC News]] |date=26 December 2022}}</ref>

The South Korean Defence Ministry announced a new series of anti-drone measures, spending some 560 billion won over the next five years. The money will go towards four new initiatives. One is an airborne laser that will be used to destroy larger drones whilst a jammer would be used on smaller drones. A new counter drone unit, made up of two squadrons, would also be created. The laser is already in the test process and is expected to become operational in 2027. The jamming system has been described as "soft kill". Further work will be done on stealth jets and anti-rocket artillery systems. The total amount of the spending over the next five years is 331.4 trillion. The previous Defence budget for the last financial year was just 54.6 trillion won as a comparison.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-28/south-korea-to-spend-millions-on-drone-defence/101813566 |title= South Korea to spend millions on drone defence following North Korea's airspace invasion |newspaper= ABC News |agency=Reuters |date=29 December 2022}}</ref>

== Command structure ==
[[File:UNC - CFC - USFK photo 170928-A-CD114-0066 69th ROK Armed Forces Day.jpg|thumb|President [[Moon Jae-in]] with the Minister of National Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Commander of [[United States Forces Korea|USFK]] in 2017]]

Command over the ROK Armed Forces is established in the Constitution. The [[President of South Korea|President]] is the Commander-in-Chief Forces ''ex officio''. The military authority runs from the President to the [[Ministry of National Defense (South Korea)|Minister of National Defense]], who is often to be (but not legally bound to be) a retired [[four-star rank|four-star]] general. The President and Minister of National Defense are in charge of the entire military establishment, maintaining [[civilian control of the military]]. The Minister of National Defense, by order of the President, takes charge of military affairs, and supervises the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the chief of staff of each service of the Armed Forces.

To coordinate military strategy with political affairs, the President has a [[National Security Council (South Korea)|National Security Council]] headed by the National Security Advisor.

=== Joint Chiefs of Staff ===
{{main|Joint Chiefs of Staff (Republic of Korea)}}

The Joint Chiefs of Staff consists of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the military service chiefs from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Unlike the U.S. counterpart, operational command of combat units falls within the purview of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who reports to the Minister of National Defense.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a four-star general or admiral, is the senior officer of the Armed Forces. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff assists the Minister of National Defense with regard to operational command authority, and supervises the combat units of each service of the Armed Forces, by order of the Minister of National Defense. The chain of operational control runs straight from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the commandants of the Army, Navy, and Air Force operational commands. The respective chiefs of staff of each service branch (Army, Navy, and Air Force) has administrative control over his or her own service.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://elaw.klri.re.kr/kor_service/lawView.do?hseq=26880&lang=ENG|title=Act on the Organization of National Armed Forces|website=KOREA LEGISLATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref>

==Service branches==
The ROK Armed Forces consists of the [[Republic of Korea Army|ROK Army]], [[Republic of Korea Navy|ROK Navy]], and [[Republic of Korea Air Force|ROK Air Force]]. The [[Republic of Korea Marine Corps|ROK Marine Corps]] functions as a branch of the Navy. The [[Republic of Korea Reserve Forces|ROK Reserve Forces]] is a reserve component.

===ROK Army===
[[File:U.S., ROK forces forge interoperability with combined arms exercise - 8 of 8.jpg|thumb|left|ROK Army [[K2 Black Panther]] main battle tank]]
{{main|Republic of Korea Army}}

The ROK Army (ROKA) is by far the largest of the military branches, with about 420,000 personnel as of 2020. This comes as a response to both the mountainous terrain native to the [[Korea|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 [[Korean Demilitarized Zone|DMZ]]. 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 by about 2030.

The ROK Army was formerly organized into three armies: the First Army (FROKA), Third Army (TROKA) and Second Operational Command each with its own headquarters, corps (not Second Operational Command), 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 Second Operational Command formed the rearguard.

[[File:Panmunjeom DMZ.png|thumb|right|South Korean soldiers at the [[Joint Security Area]] (JSA) between the blue buildings, with North Korea in the background]]

Under a restructuring plan aimed at reducing redundancy, the First and Third Armies will be incorporated into the newly formed First Operations Command, whereas the Second ROK Army has been converted into the Second Operational Command. The army consists of the Army Headquarters, the Aviation Command, and the Special Warfare Command, with 9 corps, 36 divisions, some 464,000 troops and estimated as many as 5,850 tanks and armored vehicles, 11,337 artillery systems, 7,032 missile defense systems and 13,000 infantry support systems.<ref name="globalbearings.net2"/>

The army will take the brunt of the personnel reduction part of the Defense Reform 307. Associated with this personnel reduction would be a significant reduction in the ROK Army force structure, in particular decreasing the current force of 47 divisions (active duty and reserve) down to a force of about 28 divisions.

===ROK Navy===
[[File:ROKS Sejong the Great (DDG 991).jpg|left|thumb|ROK Navy ROKS ''Sejong the Great'' (DDG 991), a [[Sejong the Great-class destroyer|''Sejong the Great'']]-class [[guided-missile destroyer]]]]
{{main|Republic of Korea Navy}}

The ROK Navy (ROKN) is responsible for naval and [[Amphibious warfare|amphibious operations]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil.kr/mbshome/mbs/eng/subview.do?id=eng_010300000000|title=Duty & Function|website=www.navy.mil.kr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212011938/http://www.navy.mil.kr/mbshome/mbs/eng/subview.do?id=eng_010300000000|archive-date=2019-02-12|url-status=live|access-date=2019-02-10}}</ref> The ROK Navy has about 70,000 regular personnel including 29,000 Republic of Korea Marines. There are about 150 commissioned ships with the ROK Navy (a total displacement of about 215,000 tonnes<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mod.go.jp/e/publ/w_paper/pdf/2018/DOJ2018_Full_1130.pdf|title=DEFENSE OF JAPAN 2018|website=Japan Ministry of Defense|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202133929/http://www.mod.go.jp/e/publ/w_paper/pdf/2018/DOJ2018_Full_1130.pdf|archive-date=2018-12-02|url-status=live|access-date=2018-12-11}}</ref>). The naval aviation force consists of about 70 fixed-wing and [[Rotorcraft|rotary-wing aircraft]].

The Republic of Korea Navy includes the Republic of Korea Navy Headquarters, Republic of Korea Fleet, and [[Republic of Korea Marine Corps]]. The [[Chief of Naval Operations (South Korea)|Chief of Naval Operations]] (CNO) is the highest-ranking officer of the ROK Navy, and oversees the administration of organizing, recruiting, training, equipping, supplying, and mobilizing the ROK Navy. The Republic of Korea Fleet is the highest operational command of the ROK Navy.

Since the 1990s, the ROK Navy has been trying to build an ocean-going fleet to protect the [[sea lines of communication]]. During Admiral An Pyong-tae's tenure as [[Chief of Naval Operations (South Korea)|CNO]], President [[Kim Young-sam]] supported the Navy by approving a long-term shipbuilding plan for the ocean-going navy. In the first decade of the 21st century, the ROK Navy launched the lead ships of larger and better equipped warships with local shipbuilders: In 2002, ROKS ''Chungmugong Yi Sunshin'' (DDH 975), a 4,500-ton destroyer, was launched; in 2005, the 14,000-ton [[amphibious warfare ship]], [[Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship|ROKS ''Dokdo'']] (LPH 6111) was launched; in 2006, the ROK Navy launched ROKS ''Sohn Wonyil'' (SS 072), an 1,800-ton [[Type 214 submarine]] with Air-Independent propulsion (AIP) system. In 2007, the ROK Navy launched the lead ship (DDG 991) of [[Sejong the Great-class destroyer|''Sejong the Great-''class]] destroyers with the [[Aegis Combat System]].

The ROK Navy completed a new naval base called [[Jeju Civilian-Military Complex Port for Beautiful Tourism|Jeju Civilian-Military Complex Port]] in 2016 on the southern coast of [[Jeju Island]] to protect the sea lines of communication.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://jeju.news1.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=1054|script-title=ko:[제주해군기지 준공] 대양해군 전초기지 역할 '톡톡'|website=jeju.news1.kr|date=26 February 2016 |language=ko|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124111/http://jeju.news1.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=1054|archive-date=2019-02-09|url-status=live|access-date=2019-02-08}}</ref> In order to support ocean-going operations, the ROK Navy commissioned the 10,000-ton logistics support ship, ROKS ''Soyang'' (AOE 51), and launched the first locally designed 3,000-ton submarine, ''Dosan Ahn Changho'' (SS 083) in 2018.<ref name="Ahn">{{cite web|script-title=ko:3천t급 잠수함 '도산안창호함' 진수식…2022년 1월 실전배치|url=http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/bulletin/2018/09/13/0200000000AKR20180913150000014.HTML|publisher=[[Yonhap News Agency]] |access-date=23 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914095254/http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/bulletin/2018/09/13/0200000000AKR20180913150000014.HTML|archive-date=2018-09-14|url-status=live|date=2018-09-13}}</ref> The ROK Navy continues to upgrade ongoing shipbuilding programs such as the [[Korean Attack Submarine program|Korean Submarine (KSS)]], [[Korean Destroyer eXperimental|Korean Destroyer Experimental (KDX)]], [[Incheon-class frigate|Frigate Experimental (FFX)]], and Landing Transport Experimental (LPX).

The ROK Navy aims to become a [[blue-water navy]] in the 2020s.<ref>[https://thediplomat.com/2010/11/18/south-koreas-blue-water-ambitions/ "South Korea's Blue-water Ambitions"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110080353/https://thediplomat.com/2010/11/18/south-koreas-blue-water-ambitions/|date=2013-11-10}}. <u>The Diplomat </u>. Retrieved June 21, 2012.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnwc.edu/getattachment/c54ee0a4-987f-4a66-800e-ef88de9381d1/The-Emerging-Republic-of-Korea-Navy--A-Japanese-Pe.aspx|title=The Emerging Republic of Korea Navy: A Japanese Perspective|publisher=Naval War College Review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305191216/https://www.usnwc.edu/getattachment/c54ee0a4-987f-4a66-800e-ef88de9381d1/The-Emerging-Republic-of-Korea-Navy--A-Japanese-Pe.aspx|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=8 October 2015}}</ref>

====ROK Marine Corps====
[[File:2014.2.14._2014_코브라골드_연합훈련2014_Cobra_Gold_Combined_Exercise_14th,_Feb,_2014_(12652073913).jpg|right|thumb|ROKMC KAAV7A1 assault amphibious vehicles]]
{{main|Republic of Korea Marine Corps}}

The ROK Marine Corps (ROKMC) is a branch of the Republic of Korea Navy responsible for [[Amphibious warfare|amphibious operations]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rokmc.mil.kr/contents/view.do?sMenuKey=65&contentKey=14|script-title=ko:대한민국 해병대|website=rokmc.mil.kr|access-date=2019-02-08}}</ref> and also functions as a rapid reaction force and a strategic reserve. The ROK Marine Corps, with 29,000 personnel, is organized into two divisions and two brigades. The ROK Marine Corps has about 300 tracked vehicles including [[Assault Amphibious Vehicle|assault amphibious vehicles]], [[main battle tank]]s, and [[self-propelled artillery]].

The [[Commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps]] is a three-star general. Following the [[bombardment of Yeonpyeong]] Island in 2010 and the subsequent establishment of the Northwest Islands Defense Command (NWIDC), the Commandant of the ROKMC has been dual-hatted as the Commander NWIDC.

===ROK Air Force===
[[File:A South Korean Air Force KF-21, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries, performs an aerial demonstration at the Aerospace and Defense Exhibition in Seoul, South Korea, October 21, 2023.jpg|thumb|left|ROK Air Force [[KAI KF-21 Boramae|KF-21 Boramae]] multirole combat aircraft]]
{{main|Republic of Korea Air Force}}

The ROK Air Force (ROKAF) maintains a modern air and space force in order to defend itself from various modes of threats, including the [[Korean People's Army|North Korean Army]]. The ROK Air Force fields some 450 combat aircraft of American design. In contrast, the North Korean Army has roughly 650 combat aircraft, but mostly obsolete 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 Golden Eagle|KAI T-50]], dubbed the "Golden Eagle" which is used as a trainer for jet pilots, now being exported to Indonesia. A multirole all-weather version of the T-50 is the modified [[KAI T-50 Golden Eagle|FA-50]], which can be externally fitted with [[Rafael Advanced Defense Systems|Rafael]]'s Sky Shield or LIG Nex1's ALQ-200K ECM pods, [[Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod|Sniper]] or [[Litening|LITENING targeting pods]], and Condor 2 reconnaissance pods to further improve the fighter's electronic warfare, reconnaissance, and targeting capabilities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bemil.chosun.com/nbrd/files/BEMIL105/upload/2005/10/A-50%20%B9%AB%C0%E5%20%284%29_1.jpg|title=Sniper Targeting Pod for FA-50}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bemil.chosun.com/nbrd/files/BEMIL105/upload/2005/10/A-50%20%B9%AB%C0%E5%20%287%29_1.jpg|title=Condor 2 Reconnaissance Pod for FA-50}}</ref> Other improved weapon systems over FA-50 include [[Spice (bomb)|SPICE]] multifunctional guidance kits,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bemil.chosun.com/nbrd/files/BEMIL105/upload/2005/10/A-50%20%B9%AB%C0%E5%20%281%29_1.jpg|title=Rafael SPICE 1000 Guided Bomb}}</ref> Textron [[CBU-97 Sensor Fuzed Weapon|CBU-97/105 Sensor Fuzed Weapon]] with [[Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser|WCMD]] tail kits, [[Joint Direct Attack Munition|JDAM]], and [[JDAM#JDAM Extended Range|JDAM-ER]] for more comprehensive air-to-ground operations, and [[AIM-120 AMRAAM|AIM-120]] missiles for [[Beyond-visual-range missile|BVR]] air-to-air operations.<ref name=FA-50>[http://bemil.chosun.com/nbrd/data/10040/upfile/201009/20100925140812_2.jpg FA-50 Expanded Weapons and Avionics]. bemil.chosun.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-05.</ref> FA-50 has provisions for, but does not yet integrate, [[Python (missile)|Python]] and Derby missiles, also produced by Rafael, and other anti-ship missiles, stand-off weapons, and sensors to be domestically developed by Korea.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bemil.chosun.com/nbrd/files/BEMIL105/upload/2005/10/A-50%20%B9%AB%C0%E5%20%286%29_1.jpg|title=AMRAAM and Derby for FA-50}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bemil.chosun.com/nbrd/files/BEMIL105/upload/2005/10/A-50%20%B9%AB%C0%E5%20%2814%29.jpg|title=Python 5 and New Weapons Developed by Korea for FA-50}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/in-focus-south-korea-outlines-strategy-for-indigenous-fighter/102720.article|title=IN FOCUS: South Korea outlines strategy for indigenous fighter|publisher=Flight Global|date=27 October 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024011658/https://www.flightglobal.com/in-focus-south-korea-outlines-strategy-for-indigenous-fighter/102720.article|archivedate=24 October 2020|accessdate=20 September 2023|author=Stephen Trimble}}</ref>

The Republic of Korea Air Force also expressed interests in acquiring the [[Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk|RQ-4 Global Hawk]] and [[Joint Direct Attack Munition]] kits to further improve their intelligence and offensive capabilities.

The replacement programs for the [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4D/E]] and [[Northrop F-5|F-5A/B/E/F]] are the KTX-2 and [[Republic of Korea Air Force#Current Major Projects|F-X]], respectively. The latter has been fulfilled by the Boeing [[McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle|F-15K]].<ref>{{cite press release
 |title       = Boeing F-15K Selected by the Republic of Korea as F-X Fighter
 |publisher   = [[Boeing]]
 |date        = 2002-04-19
 |url         = http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2002/q2/nr_020419m.html
 |access-date  = 2007-03-02
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20070204002928/http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2002/q2/nr_020419m.html
 |archive-date = 2007-02-04
}}</ref>

The South Korean government also announced its plan to develop domestic helicopter manufacturing to replace the aging [[Bell UH-1 Iroquois|UH-1]] helicopters, many of which had seen service during the [[Vietnam War]]. The program originally included plans to develop 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), an attack helicopter with a shared configuration is planned to be developed.

==Personnel==
{{See also|Conscription in South Korea}}

Conscription in South Korea requires male citizens between the age of 18 and 28 to perform [[Conscription|compulsory military service]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mma.go.kr/contents.do?mc=usr0000041|script-title=ko:병역이행안내 - 개요(총괄)|website=Military Manpower Organization|language=ko|trans-title=Military Service Implementation Guide - General Overview|access-date=2017-12-28}}</ref> Women are not required to perform military service, but they may volunteer as officers, warrant officers, or non-commissioned officers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2017/12/20/0302000000AEN20171220001500315.html|title=S. Korea to expand women's role in military|date=2017-12-20|work=[[Yonhap News Agency]]|access-date=2017-12-28|language=en}}</ref>

The length of compulsory military service varies based on service branches: Active duty enlisted personnel serve 18 months in the Army or Marine Corps, 20 months in the Navy, and 21 months in the Air Force (the length of military service will be reduced to 18 – 22 months by 2022.).<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2019/01/205_252937.html|title=South Korea to cut 17% of generals, merge Army commands in military reform|date=Jul 27, 2018|website=[[The Korea Times]]}}</ref> Commissioned officers, warrant officers, and non-commissioned officers are volunteer-based, and serve longer terms than those of enlisted personnel, or as career. Non-active duty personnel such as social work personnel serve for various lengths. After conscripts finish their military service, they are automatically placed on the reserve roster.

===Ranks===
{{main|Comparative military ranks of Korea}}

In the South Korean armed forces, ranks fall into one of four categories: [[Officer (armed forces)|commissioned officer]], [[warrant officer]], [[non-commissioned officer]], and [[Enlisted rank|junior enlisted]] ("''Byeong''"), in decreasing order of authority. Commissioned officer ranks are subdivided into "''Jangseong''"-level ([[general officer|general]]) officers, "''Yeonggwan''"-level ([[field officer|field-grade]]) officers, and "''Wigwan''"-level ([[Junior officer|company-grade]]) officers. All three branches of the South Korean Armed Forces share the same rank insignia and titles in Korean (The English titles are given as comparative examples with the US Army ranks.).

ROK Navy commissioned officer ranks have two distinct sets of rank insignia: On [[Full dress uniform|dress uniform]], a series of stripes similar to [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] naval ranks are worn; on service uniforms, working uniforms, and special uniform situations (combat utilities and flight suits), the rank insignia are the same as the equivalent rank in the Army or the Air Force.

====Commissioned officer ranks====
{{Republic of Korea Armed Forces officer ranks}}

====Warrant officer ranks====
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
|- style="background:#ccc;"
! Rank group
! Warrant officer
|- style="text-align:center;"
| rowspan=2| {{flagicon image|Flag of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces.svg}} '''Armed Forces'''<ref name="law.go.kr">{{cite web |title=gyegeubjang-ui jesig(je7joje2hang gwanlyeon) |script-title=ko:계급장의 제식(제7조제2항 관련) |trans-title=Rank insignia (related to Article 7 (2))  |url=https://www.law.go.kr/lsSc.do?section=&menuId=1&subMenuId=15&tabMenuId=81&eventGubun=060101&query=%EA%B5%B0%EC%9D%B8%EB%B3%B5%EC%A0%9C%EB%A0%B9#AJAX |website=law.go.kr |access-date=30 December 2021 |language=ko}}</ref>
| [[File:SouthKorea-Collar-WO.svg|100px]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| {{lang|ko|준위}}<br />{{lang|ko-Latn|[[Junwi]]}}
|}

====Other ranks====
{{Republic of Korea Armed Forces other ranks}}

==Budget==
South Korea has one of the highest defense budgets in the world, [[List of countries by military expenditures|ranking 9th globally]] in 2021, with a budget of nearly $46.7 billion [[United States dollar|U.S. dollars]],<ref name="Budget ranking">{{cite web|url=https://www.mnd.go.kr/mbshome/mbs/mnd/subview.jsp?id=mnd_010401030000|script-title=ko:세계 국방비 비교|publisher=[[Ministry of National Defense (South Korea)|Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea]]|date=|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921171702/https://www.mnd.go.kr/mbshome/mbs/mnd/subview.jsp?id=mnd_010401030000|archivedate=21 September 2023|accessdate=21 September 2023|author=}}</ref> and the defense budget trends from 1975 to 2025 based on South Korea's 2020 [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] announced by the Ministry of National Defense are as follows,<ref name="Budget">{{cite web|url=https://www.mnd.go.kr/mbshome/mbs/mnd/subview.jsp?id=mnd_010401020000|script-title=ko:국방예산 추이|publisher=[[Ministry of National Defense (South Korea)|Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea]]|date=2025|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250507002136/https://www.mnd.go.kr/mbshome/mbs/mnd/subview.jsp?id=mnd_010401020000|archivedate=7 May 2025|accessdate=7 May 2025|author=}}</ref> and the actual annual military expenditure may be higher because the amount of the executive budget does not include the [[supplementary budget]].

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! style="text-align:center;"|Year
! style="text-align:center;"|Amount (KRW)
! style="text-align:center;"|% of GDP (2020)
! style="text-align:center;"|% of Gov Budget
! style="text-align:center;"|% of change
|-
| 1975 || 458.8 billion || 4.28 || 28.9 || 57.7
|-
| 1976 || 732.7 billion || 4.98 || 32.4 || 59.7
|-
| 1977 || 962.6 billion || 5.09 || 33.5 || 31.4
|-
| 1978 || 1.22 trillion || 4.78 || 34.8 || 27.0
|-
| 1979 || 1.53 trillion || 4.66 || 29.5 || 25.7
|-
| 1980 || 2.24 trillion || 5.56 || 34.7 || 46.2
|-
| 1981 || 2.69 trillion || 5.33 || 33.6 || 20.1
|-
| 1982 || 3.12 trillion || 5.34 || 33.5 || 15.7
|-
| 1983 || 3.27 trillion || 4.71 || 31.4 || 4.9
|-
| 1984 || 3.30 trillion || 4.11 || 29.6 || 1.0
|-
| 1985 || 3.68 trillion || 4.09 || 29.4 || 11.6
|-
| 1986 || 4.15 trillion || 3.93 || 30.1 || 12.7
|-
| 1987 || 4.74 trillion || 3.79 || 29.6 || 14.1
|-
| 1988 || 5.52 trillion || 3.67 || 30.0 || 16.3
|-
| 1989 || 6.01 trillion || 3.52 || 27.3 || 9.0
|-
| 1990 || 6.63 trillion || 3.21 || 24.2 || 10.4
|-
| 1991 || 7.45 trillion || 2.98 || 27.4 || 12.3
|-
| 1992 || 8.41 trillion || 2.94 || 25.1 || 12.8
|-
| 1993 || 9.21 trillion || 2.83 || 24.2 || 9.6
|-
| 1994 || 10.07 trillion || 2.62 || 23.3 || 9.3
|-
| 1995 || 11.07 trillion || 2.45 || 21.3 || 9.9
|-
| 1996 || 12.24 trillion || 2.41 || 21.1 || 10.6
|-
| 1997 || 13.78 trillion || 2.46 || 20.4 || 12.6
|-
| 1998 || 14.62 trillion || 2.63 || 20.8 || 6.1
|-
| 1999 || 13.74 trillion || 2.24 || 17.2 || {{color|red|−6.0}}{{notetag|Defense budget cuts due to the [[1997 Asian financial crisis]]}}
|-
| 2000 || 14.43 trillion || 2.14 || 16.7 || 5.0
|-
| 2001 || 15.38 trillion || 2.10 || 16.3 || 6.6
|-
| 2002 || 16.36 trillion || 2.01 || 15.5 || 6.3
|-
| 2003 || 17.42 trillion || 2.01 || 15.6 || 6.5
|-
| 2004 || 18.94 trillion || 2.01 || 16.0 || 8.7
|-
| 2005 || 20.82 trillion || 2.09 || 15.5 || 9.9
|-
| 2006 || 22.51 trillion || 2.15 || 15.5 || 8.1
|-
| 2007 || 24.49 trillion || 2.16 || 15.7 || 8.8
|-
| 2008 || 26.64 trillion || 2.22 || 15.2 || 8.8
|-
| 2009 || 28.53 trillion || 2.27 || 14.5 || 7.1
|-
| 2010 || 29.56 trillion || 2.14 || 14.7 || 3.6
|-
| 2011 || 31.40 trillion || 2.17 || 15.0 || 6.2
|-
| 2012 || 32.95 trillion || 2.19 || 14.8 || 5.0
|-
| 2013 || 34.34 trillion || 2.19 || 14.5 || 4.2
|-
| 2014 || 35.70 trillion || 2.18 || 14.4 || 4.0
|-
| 2015 || 37.45 trillion || 2.15 || 14.5 || 4.9
|-
| 2016 || 38.79 trillion || 2.12 || 14.5 || 3.6
|-
| 2017 || 40.33 trillion || 2.09 || 14.7 || 4.0
|-
| 2018 || 43.15 trillion || 2.15 || 14.3 || 7.0
|-
| 2019 || 46.69 trillion || 2.29 || 14.1 || 8.2
|-
| 2020 || 50.15 trillion || 2.44 || 14.1 || 7.4
|-
| 2021 || 52.84 trillion || 2.38 || 13.9 || 5.4
|-
| 2022 || 54.61 trillion || 2.35 || 13.0 || 3.4
|-
| 2023 || 57.01 trillion || 2.37 || 12.8 || 4.4
|-
| 2024 || 59.42 trillion || 2.34 || 13.2 || 4.2
|-
| 2025 || 61.24 trillion || 2.32 || 12.9 || 3.1
|}

==Overseas deployments==
{{Further|Republic of Korea Armed Forces statistics in Vietnam War|Republic of Korea Armed Forces overseas casualties|Military history of South Korea during the Vietnam War}}

As part of its mission, the ROK Armed Forces have engaged in [[Peacekeeping|peacekeeping operations]], [[Humanitarianism|humanitarian]], and [[Emergency management|disaster-relief]] efforts worldwide. In 2008, officers and soldiers of [[Dongmyeong Unit|Unit Dongmyeong]], stationed in [[Lebanon]] with the [[United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon|UNIFIL]], received honorary medals from the [[United Nations]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/06/205_26504.html|title=S. Korean Troops in Lebanon Honored|last=JungSung-ki|date=June 25, 2008|work=[[The Korea Times]]|access-date=November 30, 2016}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;"
|-
!rowspan="2" style="background:#B0C4DE"| Name of Conflict/PKO
!rowspan="2" style="background:#B0C4DE"| Location
!colspan="2" style="background:#B0C4DE"| Date
!colspan="2" style="background:#B0C4DE"| Deployed
!colspan="4" style="background:#B0C4DE"| Casualty
!rowspan="2" style="background:#B0C4DE"| Notes
|-
! style="background:#B0C4DE"| Started
! style="background:#B0C4DE"| Ended
! style="background:#B0C4DE"| Current
! style="background:#B0C4DE"| Total
! style="background:#B0C4DE"| Dead
! style="background:#B0C4DE"| Wounded
! style="background:#B0C4DE"| Missing
! style="background:#B0C4DE"| Captured
|-
|[[Vietnam War]]
|{{flag|South Vietnam}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 1964-09-01
| style="text-align:center;"| 1973-03-23
| style="text-align:right;"|
| style="text-align:right;"| 325,517
| style="text-align:right;"| 5,099
| style="text-align:right;"| 10,962
| style="text-align:right;"| 4
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|[[Gulf War|Persian Gulf War]]
|{{flag|Saudi Arabia}}<br />{{flag|United Arab Emirates}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 1991-01-24
| style="text-align:center;"| 1991-04-10
| style="text-align:right;"|
| style="text-align:right;"| 314
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|[[United Nations Operation in Somalia II|UNOSOM II]]
|{{flag|Somalia}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 1993-07-30
| style="text-align:center;"| 1994-03-18
| style="text-align:right;"|
| style="text-align:right;"| 516
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|[[United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara|MINURSO]]
|{{flag|Western Sahara}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 1994-08-09
| style="text-align:center;"| 2006-05-15
| style="text-align:right;"|
| style="text-align:right;"| 542
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|[[United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia|UNOMIG]]
|{{flag|Georgia}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 1994-10-06
| style="text-align:center;"| 2009-07-10
| style="text-align:right;"|
| style="text-align:right;"| 88
| style="text-align:right;"| 1
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|[[United Nations Angola Verification Mission III|UNAVEM III]]
|{{flag|Angola}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 1995-10-05
| style="text-align:center;"| 1996-12-23
| style="text-align:right;"|
| style="text-align:right;"| 600
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|[[UN mediation of the Kashmir dispute|UNMOGIP]]
|{{flag|India}}<br />{{flag|Pakistan}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 1997-03-03
| style="text-align:center;"| ongoing
| style="text-align:right;"| 7
| style="text-align:right;"| 165
| style="text-align:right;"| 1
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|[[United Nations Mission in East Timor|UNAMET]]
|{{flag|East Timor}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 1999-10-04
| style="text-align:center;"| 2004-06-04
| style="text-align:right;"|
| style="text-align:right;"| 3,328
| style="text-align:right;"| 5
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|Cooperation
|{{flag|United States}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 2001-11-16
| style="text-align:center;"| ongoing
| style="text-align:right;"| 3
| style="text-align:right;"| 44
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|[[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|OEF – Afghanistan]]
|{{flag|Afghanistan}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 2001-12-18
| style="text-align:center;"| 2014-06-23
| style="text-align:right;"|
| style="text-align:right;"| 5,082
| style="text-align:right;"| 2
| style="text-align:right;"| 1
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|[[United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus|UNFICYP]]
|{{flag|Cyprus}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 2002-01-04
| style="text-align:center;"| 2003-12-23
| style="text-align:right;"|
| style="text-align:right;"| 1
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|[[Iraq War]]
|{{flag|Iraq}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 2003-02-12
| style="text-align:center;"| 2008-12-30
| style="text-align:right;"|
| style="text-align:right;"| 20,308
| style="text-align:right;"| 1
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|[[Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa|CJTF-HOA]]
|{{flag|Djibouti}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 2003-03
| style="text-align:center;"| 2012-12
| style="text-align:right;"|
| style="text-align:right;"| 15
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|[[United Nations Mission in Liberia|UNMIL]]
|{{flag|Liberia}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 2003-10-18
| style="text-align:center;"| 2018-03-30
| style="text-align:right;"| 2
| style="text-align:right;"| 20
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|[[United Nations Operation in Burundi|ONUB]]
|{{flag|Burundi}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 2004-09-15
| style="text-align:center;"| 2006-12-11
| style="text-align:right;"|
| style="text-align:right;"| 4
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|[[United Nations Mission in Sudan|UNMIS]]
|{{flag|Sudan}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 2005-11-25
| style="text-align:center;"| 2011-07
| style="text-align:right;"|
| style="text-align:right;"| 46
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|[[United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon|UNIFIL]]
|{{flag|Lebanon}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 2007-01-16
| style="text-align:center;"| ongoing
| style="text-align:right;"| 316
| style="text-align:right;"| 4,229
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|[[United Nations Mission in Nepal|UNMIN]]
|{{flag|Nepal}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 2007-03-12
| style="text-align:center;"| 2011-01-15
| style="text-align:right;"|
| style="text-align:right;"| 13
| style="text-align:right;"| 1
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|[[Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa|OEF – Horn of Africa]]
|{{flag|Somalia}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 2008-01-16
| style="text-align:center;"| ongoing
| style="text-align:right;"| 303
| style="text-align:right;"| 3,700
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 3
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|[[United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur|UNAMID]]
|{{flag|Sudan}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 2009-06-16
| style="text-align:center;"| ongoing
| style="text-align:right;"| 2
| style="text-align:right;"| 8
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|[[United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara|MINURSO]]
|{{flag|Western Sahara}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 2009-07-27
| style="text-align:center;"| ongoing
| style="text-align:right;"| 4
| style="text-align:right;"| 12
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|[[United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire|UNOCI]]
|{{flag|Côte d'Ivoire}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 2009-07-28
| style="text-align:center;"| ongoing
| style="text-align:right;"| 2
| style="text-align:right;"| 8
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|[[United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti|MINUSTAH]]
|{{flag|Haiti}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 2010-02-17
| style="text-align:center;"| 2012-12-24
| style="text-align:right;"|
| style="text-align:right;"| 1,433
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|Cooperation
|{{flag|United Arab Emirates}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 2011-01-11
| style="text-align:center;"| ongoing
| style="text-align:right;"| 144
| style="text-align:right;"| 687
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 1
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|[[United Nations Mission in South Sudan|UNMISS]]
|{{flag|South Sudan}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 2013-03-01
| style="text-align:center;"| ongoing
| style="text-align:right;"| 293
| style="text-align:right;"| 293
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|-
|Araw Contingent
|{{flag|Philippines}}
| style="text-align:center;"| 2013-12-09
| style="text-align:center;"| 2014-12-22
| style="text-align:right;"|
| style="text-align:right;"| 540<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/12/18/1269392/s.-korea-deploy-troops-rehab|title=S. Korea to deploy troops for rehab|work=The Philippine Star|access-date=19 April 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604123050/http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/12/18/1269392/s.-korea-deploy-troops-rehab|archive-date=4 June 2015}}</ref>
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
| style="text-align:right;"| 0
|
|}

==See also==
* [[Defense industry of South Korea]]
* [[Command Post Tango]]
* [[Korean Augmentation To the United States Army|KATUSA]] (Korean Augmentation to U.S. Army)
* [[United States Forces Korea]] (USFK)
* [[Order of Military Merit (South Korea)|Order of Military Merit (Korea)]]
* [[South Korea in the Vietnam War]]
* [[Korean People's Army]]
* [[Republic of Korea Reserve Forces]]
* [[Republic Of Korea Civil Defense Corps]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}
{{NoteFoot}}
{{Notelist-lr|30em}}

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* Republic of Korea Ministry of National Defense (ROKMND) ([http://mnd.go.kr/mbshome/mbs/mnd/ Korean] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526022248/http://mnd.go.kr/mbshome/mbs/mnd/ |date=2019-05-26 }} / [http://mnd.go.kr/mbshome/mbs/mndEN/ English] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519031028/http://www.mnd.go.kr/mbshome/mbs/mndEN/ |date=2019-05-19 }})

{{South Korean armed forces}}
{{Military of Asia}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Republic Of Korea Armed Forces}}
[[Category:Military of South Korea| ]]