South Korean ground forces. North Korean Armed Forces. Creation of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces

After the Iraqi Navy and the Bulgarian Air Force, I decided to devote the next block of articles to an equally unexplored topic - the Korean People's Army (KPA). The DPRK itself is a mystery country, and what the KPA is armed with is even less known. so I’ll start with small arms.

The armed formations of the Korean anti-Japanese resistance were armed primarily with captured Japanese: 9-mm Hino "type 26" revolvers mod. 1893, 8-mm Nambu pistols mod. 1925 and 1934; 7, 7-mm rifles "Arisaka" "type 99" mod. 1939, 6.5 mm light machine guns "type 96" mod. 1936 and "type 97" mod. 1937, 7, 7-mm heavy machine guns "type 92" model 1932

Japanese revolver "Hino" "type 26" mod. 1893

Japanese pistol "Nambu" type 14 mod. 1925

Japanese 7, 7-mm rifle "Arisaka" "type 99" mod. 1939

Japanese 6.5-mm light machine gun "Nambu" (Type 96) mod. 1936

Japanese 7, 7-mm heavy machine guns "type 92" model 1932

The partisan detachments operating on the border with China and in Manchuria were armed with Chinese weapons: 7.63 mm Mauser K-96 pistols (for example, the Mauser K-96 was the personal weapon of Kim Il Sung), 7.92 mm rifles Mauser arr. 1898 and its Chinese copy of the Chiang Kai-shek Mauser, 7.92 mm ZB vz.26 light machine guns, purchased in large quantities by China from Czechoslovakia in the pre-war period.

North Korean painting depicting Kim Il Sung and his wife Kim Jong Suk firing Mausers at the advancing Japanese

Chinese copy of the 7.92 mm German rifle "Mauser 98" - "Mauser "Chiang Kai-shek"

Machine gun Zbrojovka Brno ZB vz.26

After the defeat of the Japanese by Soviet troops, people's militia units were created, which later became the backbone of the Korean People's Army, the creation of which was officially announced on February 8, 1948, that is, seven months before the proclamation of the DPRK itself (September 9, 1948).

Soviet small arms began to enter service with both the people's militia and the established KPA: 7.62 mm TT pistols mod. 1933 and 7, 62-mm Nagan revolvers mod. 1895, 7, 62-mm pistols, machine guns PPSh-41 and PPS-43; 7.62 mm repeating carbines mod. 1938 and arr. 1944; 7.62 mm Mosin repeating rifle mod. 1891 – 1930; 7.62 mm self-loading rifle SVT-40 mod. 1940; 7.62-mm light machine guns DP (DP-27) mod. 1927 and DPM arr. 1944; 7.62-mm company (light) machine gun RP-46 mod. 1946; 7.62 mm heavy machine gun SG-43 mod. 1943; 7.62 mm heavy machine gun "Maxim" mod. 1910 and a 12.7-mm heavy machine gun DShK mod. 1938

Thus, in March 1950, the USSR decided to supply the following small arms to the DPRK:
7.62 mm rifle mod. 1891/30 - 22,000 units;
7.62 mm carbines mod. 1938 and arr. 1944 - 19,638 units;
7.62 mm sniper rifles – 3000 pcs.
7.62-mm light machine guns "DP" - 2325 pcs.;
7.62-mm heavy machine guns "Maxim" - 793 pcs.;
14.5 mm PTRS anti-tank rifles – 381 pcs.

And in total, before the start of the Korean War, more than 300 thousand rifles were supplied, more than 100 thousand carbines, more than 110 thousand submachine guns, more than 36 thousand machine guns (light, heavy and anti-aircraft).

Soldiers of the Korean People's Army during the Korean War of 1950-1953:

1. Sergeant in summer field uniform, 1950.

2. Private in winter field uniform, 1950 (The picture is controversial; the use of SKS in Korea is unlikely).

3. Colonel in service uniform, 1952.

During the Korean War, Chinese copies of Soviet weapons arrived in the DPRK from China: pistols "type 51" and "type 54" (TT), submachine guns "type 50" (PPSh) and "type 54" (PPS), light machine guns " type 53" (DPM), as well as a copy of the American M-3A1-"type 36" submachine gun

student members of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Guard (RKKG) with Chinese Type 36 submachine guns at a parade in honor of the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, July 28, 2013

In the DPRK itself, the production of PPSh-41 under the designation “Type 49” and PPS-43 was established.

After the end of the Korean War, the KPA continued to receive both Soviet and Chinese weapons, as well as weapons of its own production. In the DPRK itself, the production of pistols, self-loading carbines, machine guns, light machine guns, and anti-tank grenade launchers was established. Thus, currently the North Korean military-industrial complex independently produces 11 types of small arms and its annual production capacity is estimated at 200 thousand units.

Let's move on to the products they produce:

The main personal self-defense weapon of KPA officers is the Type 68 pistol, created on the basis of the Soviet TT. Its production began in 1968. It is shorter and more bulky than the TT or the Chinese analogues of the Type 51 and Type 54 TTs. They are easily distinguished by the presence of notches in the rear of the bolt of the Type 68 pistol. The internal mechanisms have undergone major changes. The swinging earring under the breech of the barrel has been replaced by a cam cut into the lug under the chamber, according to the principle used in the Browning High Power pistol. The magazine latch has been moved to the outer lower end of the handle. The TT magazine fits this pistol except for the mismatch of the catch cutout. The firing pin is held in the bolt by a plate rather than a cross pin as in the TT. The shutter lag has been significantly strengthened. The disadvantage of the pistol is that the radius of the arc is too large at the rear of the frame at the junction of the bolt and the handle, which puts a lot of pressure on the shooter’s hand between the thumb and forefinger. This cannot be corrected without a major change in the design of the trigger mechanism. The locking method is according to the Browning High Power scheme. Currently, production of the Type 68 pistol has been discontinued.

TACTICAL - TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Caliber - 7, 62 mm
The cartridge used is 7.62x25 TT
Initial bullet speed - 395 m/s
Weapon length - 182 mm
Barrel length - 100 mm
Height - 132 mm
Weight - 0.79/0.85 kg
Magazine capacity - 8 rounds

Based on the Browning pistol of the 1900 model, the Type-64 pistol is produced, using the Browning 7.65 × 17 HR cartridge. With the exception of the name, the Korean pistol is completely consistent with its prototype.

The automatic action of the Type 64 pistol is based on the use of recoil energy. It has a fixed barrel and a massive bolt. The return spring is located above the barrel. The magazine holds 7 rounds. The sighting device is stationary, the lethal range is 30 m. The safety is located on the left side of the handle and is activated by the thumb of the right hand. In addition to the standard model, there is a version with a silencer that is screwed onto the barrel thread. This weapon has a shortened bolt body.

Caliber - 7.65 mm
The cartridge used is 7.65x17HR
Initial bullet speed - 290 m/s
Weapon length - 171 mm
Barrel length - 102 mm
Weapon height - 122 mm
Curb weight - 0.624 kg
Magazine capacity - 7 rounds

Pistol Baekdusan ("Pektusan") - a North Korean copy of the Czechoslovakian pistol CZ-75

TACTICAL - TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Caliber - 9 mm
The cartridge used is 9×19 mm Parabellum
Initial bullet speed - 315 m/s
Weapon length - 206 mm
Barrel length - 120 mm
Weapon height - 138 mm
Weight in running order - 1.12 kg
Magazine capacity - 15 rounds

Baekdusan pistol

"reward version" of the Baekdusan pistol

In addition to pistols of our own production, Soviet PMs and their Chinese copy, Type 59, are in service.

Chinese PM clone - "Type 59"

The DPRK special forces units are armed with the Czechoslovakian Vz submachine gun. 61 "Scorpio" and its modification with a silencer.

mannequin at the Seoul War Museum depicting a North Korean underwater saboteur with a Vz submachine gun. 61 "Scorpio"

The PPSh-41 and PPS-43 submachine guns, as well as their Chinese and North Korean copies, as well as Chinese copies of the American M-3A1-"Type 36" have now been withdrawn from service and transferred to units of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Guard (RKKG), which is the North Korean equivalent of the people's militia.

North Korean female members of the RKKG with PPS-43 submachine guns at a parade in honor of the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, July 28, 2013

In the DPRK, the Soviet SKS-45 self-loading carbine was also produced under the designation “type-63”. The carbine was produced in three versions: with a needle bayonet, similar to the Chinese "Type 56", with a blade bayonet, with an elongated barrel, equipped with a barrel grenade launcher, similar to the Yugoslav Zastava M59/66 carbine. Moreover, unlike the Yugoslav version, the North Korean version had a barrel attachment for firing rifle grenades that could be removed. Currently, Type 63 carbines are being removed from KPA service and transferred to the RKKG, and are also used as ceremonial weapons.

North Korean self-loading carbine "Type 63"

KPA honor guard with Type 63 carbines in “ceremonial” performance

Of course, the main small arms of the KPA is the Kalashnikov assault rifle. The first to appear were Chinese copies of the AK-47 under the designation "Type 56".

Chinese copy of AK-47-"Type 56"

The North Korean comrades were satisfied with the machine guns they received, and already in 1958, state plant No. 22 began producing copies of the Soviet AK-47 called “Type-58” and its landing version “Type 58B”, made of stamped steel with a folding butt.

North Korean copy of AK-47 - Type 58 assault rifle

KPA soldiers with Type 58 machine guns

The machine guns produced in North Korea were quite rough in the quality of their finish, however, like their Soviet counterparts, they were quite reliable and fired in any conditions.
In 1968, the DPRK weapons factories launched production of a modernized Kalashnikov assault rifle called “Type 68” and its version with a folding stock “Type 68B”. The North Korean AKM differed from the prototype in that its trigger was more curved. The folding metal shoulder rest had a different shape, while the Type 68B was lighter than any modification of the Soviet AKMS assault rifle.

KPA soldiers with Type 68 machine guns

North Korean soldier on duty with a "ceremonial" version of the Type 68B assault rifle

Some Type 68 assault rifles were equipped with a barrel attachment that allowed them to fire rifle grenades, similar to the Yugoslav version of the AKM Zastava M70.

According to rough estimates, at least 50 million units of Type 58, Type 68 assault rifles and their modifications have been produced in the DPRK, and this is in a country with a population of about 25 million people. Currently, these samples are being actively removed from KPA service and transferred to the RKKG, being replaced by a copy of the AK-74, chambered for 5.45x39 mm, which has become the main small arms of KPA soldiers, the production of which began in 1988 under the designation “Type 88”.

For a long time, due to the fact that the leaders of the WPK (Workers' Party of Korea) were stubborn people and did not have the spirit of bargaining characteristic of the Romanian or Chinese leadership, North Korean weapons were very rare in the world. However, recently, due to a catastrophic shortage of freely convertible currency, the DPRK has begun to quite actively sell off stocks of 7.62x39 mm assault rifles.
"Type 88" (other sources have the designation "Type 98") is a copy of the AK-74, but there are minor changes in the design: a different shape of the butt, variant Type 88A (analogous to the AKS-74), similar to the GDR MPi-74, metal magazines identical in design to stamped magazines of an AK assault rifle.

Some of the machine guns have a wooden frame, and some of the weapons have plastic fittings, like the AK-74M. That is, most likely, imported from Russia. On the early versions, the fore-end was wooden, the butt was plastic. On modern versions, both the forend and butt are plastic.

It is possible to mount a Type 88 underbarrel grenade launcher (a copy of the GP-25 Koster).

Once again, I draw your attention to an interesting phenomenon - in the DPRK army, ceremonial units, as well as distinguished soldiers, have polished chrome-plated weapons.

a distinguished soldier of the KPA army with a chrome-plated Type 88 assault rifle, given to him by Kim Jong-un, when visiting a military unit

Various types of sights have been created for Type 88 assault rifles in the DPRK.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un with a Type 88 assault rifle with an optical sight

However, recently the North Koreans again managed to surprise the whole world. Photos have appeared in which Kim Jong-un, the leader of the DPRK, communicates with the people, and is accompanied by military personnel armed with unusual machine guns with auger magazines made in the form of a long cylinder.

Experts believe that this weapon is nothing more than a North Korean variation on the AK theme. Gun blog TFB estimates the new auger magazine capacity is 75-100 rounds. There are no details yet regarding this North Korean modification of the Kalashnikov-type assault rifle. In particular, it is not known whether the North Korean leader’s security guns are equipped with auger magazines or whether this is a common combined-arms modification.

In a screw magazine, the cartridges are arranged parallel to its axis in a spiral. In such a magazine, cartridges are fed forward by bullets along a special spiral guide (auger) additionally charged by a spring. Screw magazines have the highest relative capacity.

When infiltrating South Korean territory, North Korean special forces fighters use unlicensed Chinese copies of American M-16-CQ 5.56 automatic rifles and Colt M4-CQ-M4 (5.56) carbines.

Thus, among the weapons of dead North Korean special forces from a submarine carrying out a reconnaissance mission in the territorial waters of South Korea, and through negligence, which ran aground near the coast near the city of Gangneung on the night of September 18, 1996, a North Korean submarine, in addition to Kalashnikov assault rifles, were found Chinese assault rifles CQ 5.56.

North Korean sailors and special forces decided to break through to their homeland, but were spotted by a local taxi driver. For weeks, tens of thousands of South Korean soldiers combed the surrounding mountains in search of them. 12 North Korean special forces and 5 submarine crew members were killed, and the surrounded North Koreans committed suicide. By the way, none of the special forces themselves surrendered. With incredible difficulty, the armada of pursuers managed to capture only one of the northern team - Li Kwang-su. The South Koreans suffered incomparably greater losses - the total number of victims was close to 140, with a ratio of almost 1:1 in terms of the number of killed and wounded, in addition, 4 American soldiers died. Several years later, according to information leaked to the South Korean press from local intelligence, it became known that the only North Korean special forces soldier who survived from that ill-fated boat, even after being wounded in the stomach, managed to pass through the heavily fortified demilitarized zone and return to his homeland, where he was accepted as hero. Moreover, the submarine crew itself, as we are now sure, was shot immediately after landing on the shore by their own special forces. Probably the commandos thought that the sailors, due to their poor physical fitness, would not be able to make the way back and might surrender. The government of the Republic of Korea paid the taxi driver who discovered the North Koreans a reward of several hundred thousand dollars.

The ending follows...

Based on materials from sites:
http://alternathistory.org.ua
http://tsdr.ru
http://sony-es.livejournal.com
http://www.flashpoint.ru

North Korea is a closed state, information about the standard of living there is strictly classified, and the rare tourists who were able to obtain permission to cross the border of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are shown only those objects that the authorities consider appropriate to show. In terms of its regime, this country is similar to the Soviet Union of the 40s of the 20th century. Today, such a regime in any country seems incredible, but in North Korea, labor concentration camps are thriving and mass public executions are the norm.

The whole world remembered the year 2017 for the threats of the DPRK leader Kim Jong-un, who stated that he was ready to launch a nuclear strike (with North Korean-developed weapons) on South Korea. In response to this statement, US President Donald Trump promised the Americans to deal with the North Korean army once and for all, sending a nuclear submarine to the port of South Korea to confirm his words.

Although the strength of the US Army is many times greater than the troops of a possible enemy, the Americans do not dare to attack an unpredictable enemy who has nuclear weapons with unknown power potential. Since North Korea is a closed country, it is incredibly difficult to obtain reliable information about the composition and strength of the DPRK Armed Forces.

The history of the emergence of the DPRK army

The Korean People's Army appeared in 1934, although its prototype (the Anti-Japanese People's Guerrilla Army) appeared back in 1932. The ANPA was formed from Korean partisan units that fought against the Japanese occupiers in the territories of Manchuria.

Although this data is not confirmed by anything, historians of the republic claim that the troops of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (KPRA) participated in all military operations on equal terms with the Chinese revolutionary forces and without their participation. Of course, there were many Koreans among the Chinese partisans, but they could not be called an army.

To support their version, Korean historians point to the fact that the founder of the North Korean state, Kim Il Sung, was one of the military commanders of the KPRA. The future leader of North Korea was indeed the commander of a guerrilla detachment, but the detachment was officially considered Chinese.

If you believe the history of North Korea, then the KPRA troops took part in the battles against Japan, and the victory of the Soviet Union was the work of the KPRA Armed Forces. This point of view is supported only by residents of North Korea, and military documents of the USSR say that although Korean and Chinese partisans systematically prepared for military operations in territories controlled by Japan, their landing was prevented by the premature surrender of Japan.

After the Potsdam Conference, Korea was divided into two parts:

North Korea (which Kim Il Sung actually began to rule), which is a zone of Soviet occupation;
South Korea (led by Syngman Rhee), which was an American zone of occupation.

This division did not suit either side, which is why the outbreak of a military conflict was only a matter of time. After Kim Il Sung arrived in Moscow in March 1950 for a secret conversation with Soviet leader I.V. Stalin most likely made the decision to attack the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.

Before the start of the war, the strength of the Korean People's Army was approximately 100-150 thousand people. In 1953, when the war ended (although the end of the war was not officially announced), the North Korean armed forces had a strength of 263 thousand people. At that time, it was one of the most powerful armies in Asia (not counting the Chinese), which had real combat experience.

How is leadership carried out in the DPRK army?

Full leadership of the DPRK Armed Forces is exercised by the Defense Committee, headed by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, who is the marshal and chairman of the State Defense Committee. The General Staff functions as an advisory center, and the headquarters of the air force and naval forces solve immediate problems facing the People's Armed Forces (PAF) of North Korea.

The People's Armed Forces of North Korea consist of the following types of troops:

Korean People's Army, which consists of various types of ground forces;
Air Force;
Naval forces, together with special operations forces;
Army Ministry of Public Security;
Troops of the Ministry of State Security;
Red Guard of Workers and Peasants (Workers and Peasants);
Youth Red Guard;
People's and training groups.

North Korea has universal conscription, which was popular in all countries of the former USSR. The length of service in the DPRK army ranges from 3 to 12 years (depending on the type of military service).

Although information about the number and percentage of North Korean troops is classified, the DPRK army parade, which displays the latest Korean weapons, gives a rough idea of the military power of the modern DPRK army.

North Korean Ground Forces

The North Korean ground forces are the largest part of the Korean People's Army. Their total number is about 950 thousand people. The period of service in the ground forces is at least 5 years (maximum 12) and this is only conscript service. In the North Korean army, a large percentage of the military personnel are women. According to various sources, their number ranges from 20 to 50 percent.

The total number of tanks in the DPRK army is about 4,000 vehicles of various types. In addition to combat vehicles of various types and artillery pieces, the main pride of the DPRK army is the installation of operational-tactical and tactical missiles.

Most of the ground forces are on high alert in the demilitarized zone. In addition to a huge accumulation of military equipment and military units, this area is distinguished by a huge concentration of various bunkers and tunnels, which most likely lead to the territory of South Korea.

Although the DPRK army is distinguished by a large number of military equipment, 80 percent of it is outdated models of Soviet military vehicles from the 60-80s. Only in recent years have the ground forces begun to be equipped with new developments of their own design.

North Korean Air Force

The DPRK Air Force is part of the Korean People's Army. As is the case with ground forces, the main combat units that make up the Korean aviation fleet are old models of airplanes and helicopters produced in the 50-70 years in the Soviet Union. This equipment was actively supplied to North Korea as part of military assistance. There are many Chinese-made planes and helicopters from later years. The main pride of the air force of the DPRK army is the 4th generation MIG-29 fighters, which were produced in the 80s of the 20th century.

Although the DPRK Air Force is one of the leaders in the world in terms of the number of combat air units (according to unofficial data - about 1,600 aircraft), most of these planes and helicopters will not be able to conduct a full-fledged battle with modern US or Russian fighters, since their service life has long been exhausted.

All air passenger and cargo transportation in North Korea is carried out by the Air Force. All transport aircraft are not only assigned to the military departments, but are also piloted by military pilots.

The helicopters at the disposal of the DPRK Air Force are represented by many machines (about 300 units) of various types. The main pride among them is the huge MI-26 transport helicopters.

Military pilots and other personnel of the Korean Air Force are among the most respected people in the country. To pilot a military fighter, a pilot must not only have excellent health, but also be technically and mentally prepared.

North Korean Navy

The North Korean Navy is represented by two fleets:

East Sea Fleet, which is designed to operate in the Sea of Japan;
Western Sea Fleet, designed for combat operations in the Korean Gulf and the Yellow Sea.

In total, from 45 to 60 thousand people serve in the Navy of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (although these data are not accurate). The term of conscription in the Navy ranges from 5 to 10 years. It should be especially noted that military service in North Korea is not only an honorable duty for every citizen, for which they prepare from childhood, but also the only way for villagers to get out of poverty.

Pyongyang is home to the naval headquarters. The coast guard forces are considered a significant part of the entire North Korean navy. They are capable of conducting the following combat operations:

Border protection in the coastal area;
Offensive and defensive operations;
Mining of the territory;
Standard raid and combat operations.

It should be noted that the main task of the DPRK Navy is to support ground forces. This support should be expressed in operations to counter the South Korean fleet.

The submarine fleet occupies a special place in the DPRK Navy. According to the latest data, the North Korean submarine fleet is represented by the following types of submarines:

About 20 large Project 633 submarines;
40 San-O submarines;
Yono-class midget submarines.

Despite the fact that the DPRK's submarine fleet is represented by old submarines, even the ultra-small Yono class submarines are quite capable of sending a modern warship to the bottom, which they perfectly demonstrated in 2010, when the Cheonan corvette, belonging to the South Korean fleet, was sunk. Although the DPRK denies any involvement in this incident, an independent investigation claims that it was the North Korean submarine fleet that was responsible for the death of the corvette.

As is the case with the Air Force, all cargo ships are owned by the Navy.

DPRK Rocket Forces

According to the South Korean television and radio company KBS, the DPRK missile forces are armed with a complex of ballistic missiles consisting of three belts, placed taking into account their range. Management of this complex is entrusted to a new department called the Strategic Missile Command. KBS received this data from a certain secret document from the DPRK. It is not clear what kind of document this is and how it fell into the hands of representatives of the television and radio company. It is not known whether this information is correct, but it is a fact that with Kim Jong-un coming to power, missile forces became a priority.

The missile belts are arranged as follows:

The first line of defense missile belt is located near the border with South Korea. It includes short-range ballistic missiles. These missiles are analogues of Scud missiles, which were modernized by North Korean designers;
In the area of the capital of North Korea there is a second belt of medium-range ballistic missiles. The Nodon modification missiles are located there;
The third belt of long-range ballistic missiles is located in the north of the state. In addition to the Taepodong 1.2 missiles, which have a range of 2 to 6.7 thousand kilometers, the DPRK is actively developing missile models that are capable of covering distances of up to 10-12 thousand kilometers, that is, they are quite capable of reaching US territory. It is possible that such missiles have already been created, which cannot but worry the US government.

According to South Korean experts, the total number of ballistic missiles in North Korea's arsenal is about 1,600, of which about 100 are intercontinental.

In addition to these missiles, multiple launch rocket systems and artillery systems, totaling about 5,000 units, were aimed at the capital of South Korea.

In 2012, during the launch of the Gwangmyeonsong-3 satellite into orbit, the Unha-3 rocket was launched. While North Korean officials claim it was a space exploration program, the US and South Korea claim it was a test of a new generation ballistic missile.

North Korean special forces

North Korea's special forces are called DPRK Special Operations Forces. At their core, these troops are an analogue of special forces, and not the Soviet special forces, from which they were copied in the 60s, but the US special forces, which bears a similar name (MTR).

Since the troops of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are in constant military readiness, this could not but leave its mark on the local special forces. Due to the fact that North Korean special forces only recently became a unified system, it should be considered only after the reorganization period of 2009-2010. Prior to this, the DPRK MTR was controlled by at least three organizations, which created enormous difficulties, since these organizations worked independently of each other. These organizations were:

Operations Department;
Office number 35;
Intelligence Bureau under the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces.

After the reorganization, the new structure became an almost complete copy of a similar organization in the United States. It includes 6 different bureaus that are responsible for specific tasks and are independent structures:

The first bureau is called the operational bureau. Its task is to control special agents in South Korea, monitor refugees from the south of the country, and eliminate persons suspected of treason and sabotage. In addition, this bureau is engaged in organizing sabotage, which can also be carried out at sea, since the bureau has the appropriate bases. This bureau includes: Headquarters, naval training centers, escort amphibious units, special schools and a preliminary and final training component. The staff of this bureau numbers about 7,000 people;
The second bureau is the intelligence bureau. Its staff is the largest (about 15,000 people). In addition to the headquarters, it includes: the foreign intelligence department, the political department, the special and training departments and the naval department. Military units of the 2nd Bureau include 3 sniper brigades, and five reconnaissance battalions;
The third bureau is the most secret, as it deals with foreign intelligence. North Korean spies (according to known information) work in 6 countries. These are Japan, America (North and South), Africa, Asia and South Korea. The number of personnel is unknown, as the bureau is highly classified;
The fifth bureau is called the Inter-Korean Dialogue Bureau. The bureau is called exactly the fifth, the fourth does not exist or they want to add it in the future. The task of the fifth bureau is to psychologically indoctrinate the people of South Korea and convince them that the North Korean regime is the only correct one on the entire Korean peninsula. The staff of this bureau is small, but professionals work in it;
The sixth bureau is technical. Its tasks include the fight in the field of electronic and information technologies. It consists of two battalions, one of which is responsible for electronic and the second for information operations;
The seventh bureau provides support to the other bureaus and is called the Logistics Bureau. In addition to support (administrative and logical), it is engaged in interdepartmental coordination.

This division of the DPRK special operations forces helps to carry out the operations assigned to them more efficiently and thoughtfully.

The most famous military operations of North Korean special forces

In January 1968, a North Korean special forces battle group launched a daring attack on the residence of the South Korean leader. To avoid being conspicuous, the special forces soldiers dressed in the uniform of South Korean soldiers. The fighting lasted for two weeks, after which almost the entire group of attackers was eliminated. Only two fighters managed to break into North Korean territory. Nothing is known about their further fate.

In October-November of the same year, 120 KPA special forces were deployed to the coast of South Korea. Their task was to organize partisan detachments against the South Korean regime. Having divided into brigades of 15 people, the special forces began recruiting. As a result of the military operation undertaken by South Korean troops, most of the North Korean special forces were destroyed, and the remaining 7 people were taken prisoner.

The total number of North Korean special operations forces is unknown, but according to information from various sources, it is about 90-120 thousand people.

North Korea's air defense system

Although North Korea's air defense system is equipped with outdated systems and complexes, it is so rich that it boggles the imagination.

The main air defense system is the S-25, which has long been withdrawn from service in all countries. It is still not clear why the DPRK so stubbornly defends these old complexes. It is possible that the DPRK's military industry cannot provide the country with more modern air defense systems. The possibility cannot be ruled out that the country’s military leadership adheres to the formula “the main thing is quantity, not quality.” It is obvious that the funds spent on maintaining these old complexes in combat readiness would be more rationally used to modernize the complexes.

The industrial complex of the DPRK is capable of maintaining all its military forces without spending huge amounts of money on it. All factories in the country are made in such a way that within a short time they can easily be repurposed for the production of military products. North Korea's latest developments in ballistic missile and nuclear technology are causing great concern to South Korea and the United States.

Since information about the military forces of North Korea is extremely contradictory, it is possible to understand what the DPRK army actually is only at military parades that are held in the public domain.

Organization of the DPRK Armed Forces

A distinctive feature of the Korean People's Army is its high degree of centralization. The leadership of the Armed Forces and military development is carried out by the State Defense Committee of the DPRK, headed by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief - Marshal of the DPRK Kim Jong Il. The Committee is subordinate to the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces (PAF), the Ministry of People's Security, the Ministry of State Security and the reserve components of the armed forces. The tasks of operational control and combat readiness are resolved by the General Staff. With a population of 22.5 million people (2004 data), the country's army numbers 847 thousand people. There are about 4 million people in the reserve.

Ground forces

The number of SV is 718 thousand people. The service life of conscripts in this branch of the Armed Forces is 5-8 years.

The main formations and formations of the Army are the army, corps, division and brigade. The army does not have a permanent composition, but is deployed on the basis of army corps. An army may have 4-5 divisions, a tank or mechanized division, a separate tank regiment, a rocket artillery brigade and an army set of units. The Army has 15 corps: 8 infantry, 1 tank, 4 mechanized, 1 special purpose corps, 1 artillery and 4 Commands (artillery, anti-aircraft artillery, capital defense and armored forces).

The army corps includes 43 divisions, 23 brigades, and 8 separate regiments. The ground forces are armed with: 31 launchers of tactical missiles, 21 launchers of operational-tactical missiles, 2,770 medium tanks (T-54/-55/-62, Ture-59), about 730 T-34 tanks, 560 PT- light tanks 76 and M-1985, 2,440 armored combat vehicles, 12.7 thousand field artillery guns and mortars, almost 1.1 thousand multiple launch rocket systems, about 2 thousand launchers

Air Force and Air Defense

Their number is 82 thousand people. The conscript's service life is 3-4 years.

The Air Force and Air Defense are divided into 3 combat aviation commands (12 fighter aviation regiments), an air defense command (3 anti-aircraft missile brigades and 3 separate anti-aircraft missile regiments), the capital's air defense command (5 anti-aircraft missile regiments), and the General Directorate of Civil Aviation ( transport air regiment and three training air regiments). The Air Force includes: one separate fighter aviation division, three bomber regiments, seven transport air regiments, seven helicopter regiments, three separate anti-aircraft missile regiments, and a separate radio engineering battalion.

In total, the Air Force has 38 aviation regiments and 16 anti-aircraft missile regiments.

The Air Force's aircraft fleet includes a total of 1,158 aircraft, including 646 combat aircraft. It consists of 80 N-5 (Il-28) bombers, 50 Su-7, Su-25 fighter-bombers, 421 J-5 (Mig-17), J-6 (Mig-21) fighters and others. The auxiliary aviation includes more than 340 transport aircraft An-2, An-24, Il-18, Il-62M, Tu-134 and Tu-154. Most of the aircraft fleet, as we see, are outdated brands. For example, the Mig-17 has been in service since 1952, and the Mig-21 since 1955.

Naval forces

47 thousand people serve here. The conscript's service life is from 5 to 10 years.

The DPRK Navy includes two fleets: Eastern (main naval base Yohori) and Western (Nampo), as well as coastal missile and artillery forces. Other fleet bases: Wonsan, Najin, Heju, Chaha.

The fleets include water area security brigades, landing boat brigades, submarine divisions, a separate division of midget submarines (sabotage and reconnaissance forces), a division of guided missile frigates (with guided missile weapons), and divisions of missile and torpedo boats.

The Navy has missile ships (URO frigates), destroyers, small anti-submarine ships, diesel torpedo submarines, small and midget submarines, tank landing ships, missile and torpedo boats, and other ships and vessels. The Navy is armed with ship-to-ship anti-ship missiles of the Styx type and coastal artillery guns of 122, 130, and 152 mm caliber.

In general, weapons and military equipment are 30 and 40 years old, with the exception of a small amount of weapons that have arrived in the last decade.

Nuclear missile potential

The expert community neither in the West nor in Russia has accurate data on the actual situation with the DPRK’s nuclear missile potential.

Since 1988, having copied three complexes of Soviet single-stage Scud ballistic missiles obtained in Egypt, North Korea has put Hwasong-6 missiles into service with its army. Their further modernization, the mechanical doubling of the missile served as the basis for the production of Nodon-1 with a firing range of 1500 km and a warhead of 1200 kg. Since the mid-90s, Pyongyang has been developing intercontinental missiles "Tephodong-1" with an expected firing range of 2000-2500 km and "Tephodong-2" with a theoretical range of up to 7000 km.

Rough estimates by many experts indicate that the DPRK is armed with tactical missiles "Luna" with a reach of 55 km and "Luna-M" - 70 km, as well as operational-tactical missiles "Scud-V/S" - 300 km, " Nodon-1 - 550-600 km, Tephodon - 1500 km and Tephodon-2 - up to 7000 km. Presumably, the DPRK has 50-200 Nodon class missiles1 and 500-600 Scud class missiles2.

There is approximately the same uncertainty regarding the state of the North Korean nuclear program. Presumably from the beginning of the 90s, Kim Jong Il began developing nuclear weapons. Back in February 1990, the chairman of the USSR KGB reported to the USSR government that the North Koreans had nuclear weapons. It is possible that 8,000 rods received from Pakistan in exchange for sold missiles were recycled. From the plutonium obtained as a result of processing, 5 - 10 nuclear charges can be produced.

In the field of nuclear energy, by the mid-90s, a graphite reactor with a capacity of 5 MW was built in the Yongbyon region for enriching nuclear fuel, where about 6 kg of weapons-grade plutonium was produced annually. Presumably, according to expert estimates, two more reactors with a capacity of 50 and 200 MW have been built.

In 2007, the DPRK had a total stockpile of plutonium of 46-64 kg, of which about 28-50 kg had been separated and was suitable for the production of a nuclear explosive device. Today, after testing a nuclear warhead with a yield of 5-10 kilotons, the country allegedly has at least 6 nuclear warheads3.

Military doctrine

The basis of military doctrine is active defense. More than 60% of the total number of formations and units of the Ground Forces, more than 40% of units and formations of the Air Force and Air Defense are deployed south of the Pyongyang-Wonsan line. The air force's aircraft are based primarily at 30 of the 70 airfields around Pyongyang. About 60% of the ship's personnel are located at forward bases on the east and west coasts. In the southern provinces along the 250 km long military demarcation line along the 38th parallel separating the DPRK and the Republic of Korea, the defense of four army corps is equipped. In the zone of each corps, 5-6 tunnels several kilometers long were dug to connect the rear areas of the corps with the demarcation line zone.

When fulfilling the task of transforming the country into an “impregnable fortress,” the southern regions of the country should practically form a continuous barrier zone. It is based on numerous underground shelters, fortified areas, tank tower defense areas, and engineering barriers.

The antilanding defense of the eastern coast of the DPRK is carried out by three army corps in cooperation with the coastal missile and artillery units of the Eastern Fleet and the combat aviation command of the Air Force and Air Defense, part of the forces of the Border Troops Corps; in the operational depth there are two mechanized buildings.

The West Coast is covered in anti-landing defense by four army corps in cooperation with the coastal missile and artillery units of the Western Fleet and two combat aviation commands, as well as part of the forces of the border troops corps; in the operational depth there is a tank corps. The Pyongyang zone is defended by the Capital Defense Command. Despite the fact that the Chinese leadership, in order to demonstrate dissatisfaction with its neighbor’s position on the nuclear issue, deployed five divisions with a total number of about 150 thousand people along the border with North Korea in 20034, the DPRK maintains in the north only parts of the border troops corps numbering up to 30 thousand people .

Providing weapons and military equipment

Since the mid-90s, Pyongyang has almost completely satisfied the needs of its army for artillery and small arms and certain types of weapons and military equipment. Korean enterprises produce self-propelled artillery units of the M-1975/-1977/-1978/-1981/-1985/-1989/-1991 type. Based on Soviet models, the production of the Chonmaho tank and the M-1973 armored personnel carrier was launched. Mig-29 fighters and spare parts for Mig-21/-23/-29 and Su-25 aircraft are produced under Soviet license. According to expert data, during the year rocket manufacturing enterprises can produce up to 100 Scud V/S missiles, which allows them to be exported to other countries. Most of the Navy's ships are built in North Korean shipyards.

At the same time, the DPRK needs to import sophisticated modern weapons systems, missiles and aircraft. Most conventional weapons come from the CIS countries. According to SIPRI estimates, North Korea is able to produce most conventional weapons, despite its difficult economic situation.

A military-political analysis of the state of North Korea's combat power is significantly complicated by the fact that this country is one of the most closed in the world. Therefore, some of the data is of an expert nature, but based on the available information, one can confidently judge that in a practically impoverished country, a powerful army equipped with nuclear weapons has been created, which no one can underestimate.

1 SIPRI Yearbook 2007. Armaments, disarmament and international security. IMEMO RAS. P.594

2 Panin A., Altov V. North Korea. The era of Kim Jong Il at sunset. M., Olma-Press, 2004. P. 195.

3 SIPRI Yearbook 2007. P.593

The whole world remembered the year 2017 for the threats of the DPRK leader Kim Jong-un, who stated that he was ready to launch a nuclear strike (with North Korean-developed weapons) on South Korea. In response to this statement, US President Donald Trump promised the Americans to deal with the North Korean army once and for all, sending a nuclear submarine to the port of South Korea to confirm his words.

The history of the emergence of the DPRK army

To support their version, Korean historians point to the fact that the founder of the North Korean state, Kim Il Sung, was one of the military commanders of the KPRA. The future leader of North Korea was indeed the commander of a guerrilla detachment, but the detachment was officially considered Chinese.

After the Potsdam Conference, Korea was divided into two parts:

North Korea (which Kim Il Sung actually began to rule), which is a zone of Soviet occupation;
South Korea (led by Syngman Rhee), which was an American zone of occupation.

This division did not suit either side, which is why the outbreak of a military conflict was only a matter of time. After Kim Il Sung arrived in Moscow in March 1950 for a secret conversation with Soviet leader I.V. Stalin most likely made the decision to attack the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.

How is leadership carried out in the DPRK army?

The People's Armed Forces of North Korea consist of the following types of troops:

Korean People's Army, which consists of various types of ground forces;
Air Force;
Naval forces, together with special operations forces;
Army Ministry of Public Security;
Troops of the Ministry of State Security;
Red Guard of Workers and Peasants (Workers and Peasants);
Youth Red Guard;
People's and training groups.

North Korea has universal conscription, which was popular in all countries of the former USSR. The length of service in the DPRK army ranges from 3 to 12 years (depending on the type of military service).

North Korean Ground Forces

Most of the ground forces are on high alert in the demilitarized zone. In addition to a huge accumulation of military equipment and military units, this area is distinguished by a huge concentration of various bunkers and tunnels, which most likely lead to the territory of South Korea.

North Korean Air Force

All air passenger and cargo transportation in North Korea is carried out by the Air Force. All transport aircraft are not only assigned to the military departments, but are also piloted by military pilots.

The helicopters at the disposal of the DPRK Air Force are represented by many machines (about 300 units) of various types. The main pride among them is the huge MI-26 transport helicopters.

North Korean Navy

The North Korean Navy is represented by two fleets:

East Sea Fleet, which is designed to operate in the Sea of Japan;
Western Sea Fleet, designed for combat operations in the Korean Gulf and the Yellow Sea.

In total, from 45 to 60 thousand people serve in the Navy of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (although these data are not accurate). The term of conscription in the Navy ranges from 5 to 10 years. It should be especially noted that military service in North Korea is not only an honorable duty for every citizen, for which they prepare from childhood, but also the only way for villagers to get out of poverty.

Pyongyang is home to the naval headquarters. The coast guard forces are considered a significant part of the entire North Korean navy. They are capable of conducting the following combat operations:

Border protection in the coastal area;
Offensive and defensive operations;
Mining of the territory;
Standard raid and combat operations.

It should be noted that the main task of the DPRK Navy is to support ground forces. This support should be expressed in operations to counter the South Korean fleet.

The submarine fleet occupies a special place in the DPRK Navy. According to the latest data, the North Korean submarine fleet is represented by the following types of submarines:

About 20 large Project 633 submarines;
40 San-O submarines;
Yono-class midget submarines.

As is the case with the Air Force, all cargo ships are owned by the Navy.

DPRK Rocket Forces

The missile belts are arranged as follows:

The first line of defense missile belt is located near the border with South Korea. It includes short-range ballistic missiles. These missiles are analogues of Scud missiles, which were modernized by North Korean designers;
In the area of the capital of North Korea there is a second belt of medium-range ballistic missiles. The Nodon modification missiles are located there;
The third belt of long-range ballistic missiles is located in the north of the state. In addition to the Taepodong 1.2 missiles, which have a range of 2 to 6.7 thousand kilometers, the DPRK is actively developing missile models that are capable of covering distances of up to 10-12 thousand kilometers, that is, they are quite capable of reaching US territory. It is possible that such missiles have already been created, which cannot but worry the US government.

According to South Korean experts, the total number of ballistic missiles in North Korea's arsenal is about 1,600, of which about 100 are intercontinental.

In addition to these missiles, multiple launch rocket systems and artillery systems, totaling about 5,000 units, were aimed at the capital of South Korea.

North Korean special forces

Operations Department;
Office number 35;
Intelligence Bureau under the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces.

The first bureau is called the operational bureau. Its task is to control special agents in South Korea, monitor refugees from the south of the country, and eliminate persons suspected of treason and sabotage. In addition, this bureau is engaged in organizing sabotage, which can also be carried out at sea, since the bureau has the appropriate bases. This bureau includes: Headquarters, naval training centers, escort amphibious units, special schools and a preliminary and final training component. The staff of this bureau numbers about 7,000 people;
The second bureau is the intelligence bureau. Its staff is the largest (about 15,000 people). In addition to the headquarters, it includes: the foreign intelligence department, the political department, the special and training departments and the naval department. Military units of the 2nd Bureau include 3 sniper brigades, and five reconnaissance battalions;
The third bureau is the most secret, as it deals with foreign intelligence. North Korean spies (according to known information) work in 6 countries. These are Japan, America (North and South), Africa, Asia and South Korea. The number of personnel is unknown, as the bureau is highly classified;
The fifth bureau is called the Inter-Korean Dialogue Bureau. The bureau is called exactly the fifth, the fourth does not exist or they want to add it in the future. The task of the fifth bureau is to psychologically indoctrinate the people of South Korea and convince them that the North Korean regime is the only correct one on the entire Korean peninsula. The staff of this bureau is small, but professionals work in it;
The sixth bureau is technical. Its tasks include the fight in the field of electronic and information technologies. It consists of two battalions, one of which is responsible for electronic and the second for information operations;
The seventh bureau provides support to the other bureaus and is called the Logistics Bureau. In addition to support (administrative and logical), it is engaged in interdepartmental coordination.

This division of the DPRK special operations forces helps to carry out the operations assigned to them more efficiently and thoughtfully.

The most famous military operations of North Korean special forces

The total number of North Korean special operations forces is unknown, but according to information from various sources, it is about 90-120 thousand people.

North Korea's air defense system

Although North Korea's air defense system is equipped with outdated systems and complexes, it is so rich that it boggles the imagination.

The industrial complex of the DPRK is capable of maintaining all its military forces without spending huge amounts of money on it. All factories in the country are made in such a way that within a short time they can easily be repurposed for the production of military products. North Korea's latest developments in ballistic missile and nuclear technology are causing great concern to South Korea and the United States.

South Korea is usually presented as a model of the Eastern economic miracle. Well-known trade brands Samsung, LG, Huyndai, Daewoo come from this Asian country. At the same time, this country is a major military power. The number of South Korean army is more than half a million people, and according to this indicator it ranks seventh in the world.

Creation of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces

It began to be created immediately after the Second World War. The first combat units were national defense units. These small units primarily performed police functions and were created under the control of the American occupation forces. Accordingly, the training of personnel was carried out by US Army instructors.

Soon after gaining statehood on November 30, 1948, the law “On the Creation of a National Army” was issued, which for many years determined the principles of military development in the country. In 1949, the Republic of Korea began receiving US weapons on a regular basis.

Baptism of fire for the South Korean army

The first combat operation in which the young army of South Korea had to participate occurred in the summer of 1948 during the communist uprising on Jeju Island. The rebels demanded fair democratic elections and the reunification of South and North Korea.

The number of rebel troops was about 4,000 people. Initially, the rebels managed to achieve serious military successes. But in the spring of 1949, after four reinforced battalions of the South Korean army were transferred to the island, the initiative passed to the side of the official government. Most of the rebel troops were defeated. The population of the island who supported the communists was subjected to repression. From this time on, the police role in the state was also consolidated.

Korean War

In June 1950, hostilities began between the DPRK and South Korea, which went down in history as. This war had a decisive impact on the South Korean army, its strength and development strategy for decades. This war was also the bloodiest since the Second World War. Koreans died on both sides.

By the beginning of the war, the strength of the South Korean army was just under one hundred thousand people. The bulk of the military units were light infantry units. There were practically no armored vehicles. The number of artillery was insignificant. The small South Korean fleet consisted mainly of patrol boats (about 10 units), minesweepers (35 units) and auxiliary vessels (20 units).

I experienced great difficulties with command personnel. By the beginning of the war, the number of officers, especially in the lower echelons of military command, did not meet the needs of the army. The recently opened military school did not have time to provide the army with command personnel by the beginning of the war. The shortage of personnel became even greater after the start of active hostilities. The insufficient number of its officers was covered by attracting instructors from the US Army. By the beginning of hostilities, the number of American advisers was about 500 people.

All these circumstances had a negative impact on the actions of South Korean units during the initial period of the war. The weakly armed infantry divisions of the South Korean army were unable to provide significant resistance to the DPRK forces and actually gave the entire territory of the country to the North Koreans, with the exception of a small bridgehead in the south of the peninsula. And only the intervention of the US Army and its allies made it possible to change the situation in the theater of operations.

The war led to heavy losses in the army. In total, the South Korean armed forces lost about 140 thousand people killed. To replenish the army, the leadership of the Republic of Korea had to call up about 500 thousand more military personnel. Since that time, the South Korean army has remained virtually unchanged in size.

Afterwards, the Republic of Korea continued to actively build its armed forces. The improvement of the army took place with the direct support of the American administration, since the country's economy at that time was still weak to bear high military expenses.

Vietnamese Mission of South Korea

The next combat episode in the history of the South Korean army was the Vietnam War.

During the initial period of the Vietnam War, the Army of the Republic of Korea allocated a small contingent of 10 training officers and a military hospital with a staff of 130 people to be sent to the combat zone. But a year later, the size of the group was radically increased to 50 thousand people. The following were transferred from the South Korean army to Vietnam:

two infantry divisions;
Marine Brigade;
transport air group;
squad of warships.

Taking into account the turnover of personnel, the number of troops who went through the war amounted to more than 300 thousand South Korean military personnel.

The Army of the Republic of Korea lost about 5 thousand people in this war. The number of wounded exceeded 11 thousand. Since the Korean War, South Korea's participation in hostilities in Vietnam was the largest in terms of the number of casualties and the number of troops involved.

In fact, these victims became payment for US economic assistance. During the fighting in Indochina, the Republic of Korea received about $5 billion in aid from Washington. Of this, the government spent 1 billion on military needs, namely, on providing an army force in Vietnam.

From Vietnam to Afghanistan

This is how we can conditionally call this period in the history of the South Korean army. This thirty-year period of peace accounts for the bulk of the military construction work in South Korea.

US military assistance allowed Seoul to carry out a major military overhaul. Three new reserve divisions were formed, and the military command structure was improved. The number of professional officers and highly qualified technical specialists has increased.

In 1970, the authorities of the Republic of Korea adopted a five-year military construction program. This document for the first time laid down the principle of army reform based on self-reliance. At this time, the foundation of its own military industry was laid, which subsequently made it possible to independently develop and produce modern weapons that are not inferior to world analogues.

Afghanistan and South Korea

After the Vietnam War, the South Korean army did not participate in combat operations for almost 30 years. The first hot spot after such a long break was Afghanistan. The strength of the unit sent to Kabul in 2002 was 210 people. The group consisted of 60 doctors and 150 soldiers from engineering units. This unit did not particularly participate in hostilities, performing mainly auxiliary functions:

medical care;
clearing the area.

During the entire period of his stay in Afghanistan, one soldier of an engineering unit was killed during shelling of the Bagram air base.

The withdrawal of the contingent took place in 2007, after a group of South Korean missionaries were taken hostage by Taliban terrorists.

Despite this, in 2009, Seoul again sent units of its army to Afghanistan. This time, the army took over the function of protecting South Korean civilian specialists. The number of contingents was:

350 military;
40 police officers;
100 civilian specialists.

By the way, the decision to re-enter was made after the head of the Pentagon visited Seoul. This fact once again confirmed the influence the American administration has on decision-making by the South Korean authorities.

South Korea and Iraq

The Army of the Republic of Korea took a much greater part during the Iraq War. This time the number of army contingent was about 3,600 people.

South Korean units were not involved in the offensive operation. The first group arrived in Iraq in May 2003, when the active phase of the war ended. And the composition of this contingent, as in Afghanistan, was represented by military doctors and engineering units.

But by the spring of 2004, the size of the group was increased to 3,600 people, of which at least 800 were combat units. The location was the city of Kirkuk. The main task of the unit was to ensure the safety of a group of specialists involved in the restoration of Iraq's civilian infrastructure. During the presence of the contingent in this Arab country, 1 person died.

Participation of the South Korean army in the so-called operation. “keeping peace” in Iraq caused significant public outcry at home. The reason for this was a tragic incident involving the death of two civilian specialists working in Iraq under a contract. This incident raised a wave of anti-war protests in Seoul, and the authorities had to resort to the help of the police to pacify them. Despite public sentiment, the deployment of South Korean army units to Iraq did take place.

At the end of 2008, the UN mandate for coalition forces in Iraq expired. At the same time as units from other countries, the South Korean contingent also returned to their homeland.

Composition of the armed forces

The structure of the South Korean armed forces is built on the American model. The commander-in-chief is the president of the country, subordinate to him are: the Ministry of Defense, which is responsible for supply and manning issues, and the Joint Committee of Chiefs of Staff (JCS) - the main body of operational and strategic command and control of the troops.

The Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea include three branches:

Ground Forces;
Navy;
Air Force.

Ground forces

The largest branch of the armed forces in terms of numbers is the ground forces. According to official data, the number of this component of the South Korean army is about 560 thousand people.

The ground forces include the following types of troops:

infantry;
tank troops;
artillery;
missile forces;
air defense troops;
special forces;
army aviation;
engineering parts;
Signal troops.

Organizationally, they are combined into 4 associations:

1st Field Army;
3rd Field Army;
operational command (former 2nd Field Army);
forces of central subordination.

The 1st and 3rd Field Armies are tasked with defending the territory along the demilitarized zone. These formations belong to the troops of constant combat readiness. The staffing level of personnel and equipment is close to 100 percent.

The operational command of the South Korean army includes territorial defense troops. Their task is to ensure the protection of the coast and large industrial centers. Most of the units of this group are squadroned: they are equipped with 50-60 percent equipment, and 10-15 percent with personnel.

The forces of central subordination report directly to the OKNSh and carry out tasks in the interests of all ground forces. They include, in particular:

Missile Command - from 3 to 7 missile divisions (estimates vary in different sources), armed with missiles with a range of up to 300 km.
Army Aviation Command, which includes two brigades and a helicopter battalion, and an air assault brigade.
The reconnaissance command, which includes radio reconnaissance units, and individual detachments and reconnaissance groups.
Special Warfare Command, including seven airborne brigades and a special forces group.
Capital command, which has a special role in ensuring the defense of Seoul and surrounding areas. This association includes several infantry divisions for territorial defense and combat and logistics support units.

Each field army consists of 3-5 army corps, which include 3 infantry divisions, one armored or mechanized, artillery, and engineering brigades.

South Korean Navy

Due to its peninsular position, the naval forces in South Korea receive increased attention. The fleet became one of the first types of armed forces in the country. Its creation began even before the adoption of the “Law on the National Army”.

Already in the fall of 1945, the South Korean Coast Guard forces were created. Initially, they included captured ships left in South Korean ports after the Japanese occupation. After formal statehood, the Coast Guard was renamed the Navy and began to receive warships supplied as part of military assistance from the Pentagon.

As a rule, these were decommissioned ships with not very high combat capabilities. However, already in the first days of the war with the DPRK, the young fleet managed to win a naval victory. An armed DPRK steamship was sunk by fire from a South Korean boat. According to the South Korean side, this ship was transporting a battalion of the DPRK army, intended for an amphibious landing on the coast.

Until the end of the 70s, the navy of the Republic of Korea was replenished by supplies from the United States and other countries. But with the development of industry and, in particular, the shipbuilding industry, Seoul gradually switched to independent construction of warships.

Currently, the number of ships in the South Korean fleet is over 400 ships:

14 submarines;
12 destroyers;
12 frigates;
6 landing ships;
30 corvettes;
100 patrol and landing boats;
over 30 auxiliary vessels.

The fleet's ship composition is constantly changing. New ships are launched and put into operation. Obsolete ships are being removed from service.

The naval forces of the Republic of Korea organizationally consist of three fleets and a combat command. Each fleet has its own area of responsibility:

The 1st Fleet is responsible for the Sea of Japan area;
The 2nd Fleet controls the Yellow Sea;
The 3rd Fleet ensures the security of the Korea Strait.

The combat command includes a special forces brigade and three squadrons:

submarines;
heterogeneous forces;
training ships.

The Marine Corps is also part of the Navy. The number of these elite troops is about 68 thousand marines. Organizationally, they are consolidated into two divisions and a brigade. The Marine Corps is the main striking force of the South Korean army in the coastal theaters of military operations.

Air Force

The Air Force as a branch of the armed forces appeared in the South Korean army in October 1949. The first combat aircraft were the American Mustangs, fighter planes from World War II. Since the mid-50s, the United States began delivering F-86 Saber jet aircraft.

Thanks to military-technical cooperation with the United States, South Korea managed to create a powerful air force. A significant part of the aircraft is produced at local enterprises under an American license.

The number of combat aircraft exceeds 500 units. The entire aviation fleet is located at 11 main and 49 auxiliary air bases.

The number of aviation personnel in 2012 was about 65 thousand people. The Air Force also subordinates ground-based air defense units responsible for controlling the country's airspace.

Structurally, the South Korean Air Force consists of 7 commands:

operational command;
Northern Combat Command;
Southern Combat Command;
air defense artillery command;
Air Defense and Control Command;
Logistics Command;
training command.

Armament of the Republic of Korea

Historically, the South Korean army received most of its weapons from the United States. In the 70s of the 20th century, Seoul set a course for creating its own defense industry. And I must admit, I have achieved serious success in this.

In connection with the missile threat from the DPRK, Seoul is paying increased attention to the development of a similar component in its army. At one time, tactical missiles of the Hyunmu family were created on the basis of American models. Their range reaches 300 km, which covers a significant part of North Korea. Development of a new generation of missile weapons is also underway, but there is no information yet about their specific characteristics.

The basis of the offensive combat power of the ground forces of the South Korean army is the K1 tank, created on the basis of the American Abrams and produced at local enterprises. The fleet size of these combat vehicles is about 1,500 units.

Infantry fighting vehicles are represented by the K200 and K21 models. If the K200 was developed on the basis of Western models, then the K21 is actually an original design, which the Korean military calls the best infantry fighting vehicle in the world. The number of these types of combat vehicles in the troops is about 2,000.

The South Korean ground forces even have Russian equipment, in particular the BMP-3, T-80, Metis ATGM, and Igla air defense missile system. They were delivered to the country in the 90s, when Russia was paying off its foreign debt with weapons. In 2015, Moscow began negotiations with Seoul regarding the return of this equipment, but no agreement has yet been reached.

The basis of the combat aircraft fleet of South Korea consists of:

KF-5 fighter;
KF-16 fighter-bomber;
F-4 Phantom II fighter;
F-15E Strike Eagle fighter-bomber.

The first two types are produced under American license in South Korean factories and are none other than the famous F-5 Tiger II and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters. In addition to the licensed assembly of American aircraft, Seoul is actively engaged in the creation of aircraft of its own design.

The first-born of the South Korean aircraft industry is the T-50 aircraft. Intended primarily for training combat pilots, it quickly gained popularity both at home and abroad. Suffice it to note that the US defense department has decided to purchase a batch of T-50s to replace its outdated training aircraft. This clearly demonstrates the high technical level of the South Korean aviation industry.

In the field of military shipbuilding, the industry is systematically increasing quantitative and qualitative production indicators. At the same time, there is an increase in the share of ocean-class ships and submarines in the total number of the fleet. In the area of underwater shipbuilding, the South Korean leadership says that by 2018 it will be able to independently build submarines through the full cycle - from development to launching. Until now, the construction of submarines has been carried out in close cooperation with Germany.

Despite the fact that the South Korean economy is going through hard times, overcoming the consequences of the global crisis, defense spending remains traditionally high. According to this indicator, in 2016 Seoul was in 10th place in the world. Since 2005, the military budget of the Republic of Korea has increased from 25 to 36 billion dollars.

Recruiting the South Korean Army

The Army of the Republic of Korea is recruited on the basis of universal conscription. Moreover, even university students do not have a deferment from military service. Men over 18 years of age are subject to conscription. But in fact, people join the army at the age of 19-20 after graduating from high school (the Russian equivalent of grades 10-11). In case of martial law, the conscription age is raised to 45 years.

The length of service in the army differs by type of armed forces:

21 months - in the ground forces and marines;
23 months - in the navy;
24 months in the Air Force.

The mobilization potential of the Republic of Korea is very large. In the event of war, the size of the army could grow to 5 million people.

All persons who have completed military service are enrolled in the reserve. The system of reserve troops began to take shape in 1968 after the adoption of the relevant law. On a regular basis, reservists are required to attend training camps in active military units. In addition, regular retraining is carried out at the place of residence or work.

The attitude towards military service in Korean society is very responsible. It is not customary to evade conscription, as this may subsequently negatively affect your work career. In addition, evasion from service is punishable by imprisonment.

Military service is very honorable for South Korean citizens. Suffice it to mention that 167 ministers and 3 prime ministers at one time graduated from military educational institutions and devoted some part of their lives to military service. Military careers are also popular among women. Their number in the South Korean army is growing year by year.

South Korean army in the future

In 2012, the government of the Republic of Korea approved a document defining the military development policy for the period until 2030. The main thesis of the army reform plan is the transition from quantity to quality.

The ground forces are facing a reduction in the number of personnel. This will mainly affect infantry units. By 2022, the size of the South Korean army will decrease by almost one and a half times to 380 thousand people. This would be the largest reduction in military personnel since the 1950-1953 Korean War.

The reform involves the disbandment of 14 divisions and 5 regiments. The share of mobile rapid response units will be increased. For the first time, the South Korean Army's ground forces will have a mountain rifle regiment, which will be stationed in the northeastern part of the country.

Great importance will be given to increasing the number of missile weapons. It is planned to purchase 900 Hyunmu-class ballistic missiles. The construction of submarines will continue, including a new class capable of carrying cruise missiles.

Significant funds are also planned to be spent on social protection of military personnel and their families.

The difficult military-political situation in the Asia-Pacific region forces the leadership of South Korea to maintain its national army in constant tone. At the same time, Seoul’s influence in world politics is gradually increasing and in order to defend its interests it is vital to demonstrate its high combat readiness, both in front of its partners and competitors. Taking this into account, we can assume that in the near future the South Korean army will experience qualitative growth, and a new strong player will appear on the global arms market.