The Republic of Korea Armed Forces (Korean: 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 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).[1][4]
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 Republic of Korea's 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, humanitarian and disaster relief efforts worldwide.
- ^ a b c "2022 DEFENSE WHITE PAPER" (PDF). Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea. 28 July 2023. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024. p. 335
- ^ a b "Defense Buget". Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea. 2024. Archived from the original on 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ Chae Yun-hwan (29 August 2023). "S. Korea seeks 4.5 pct rise in defense budget for 2024". Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "Largest armies in the world by personnel 2020".