Republic of Korea Marine Corps

This article is about the Republic of Korea Marine Corps. For the hospital abbreviated as SKMC, see Sheikh Khalifa Medical City.
Republic of Korea Marine Corps
대한민국 해병대
大韓民國 海兵隊
Daehanminguk Haebyeongdae
Seal of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps
Founded15 April 1949
(75 years, 6 months)
Country South Korea
TypeMaritime land force
RoleAmphibious warfare
Size29,000 (2022)
Part of Republic of Korea Navy
HeadquartersHQ Republic of Korea Marine Corps Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, South Korea
Nickname(s)
  • 무적해병
    ('Invincible Marines')
  • 귀신 잡는 해병대
    ('Ghost Killers')
  • 신화를 남긴 해병대
    ('Legend Makers')
Motto(s)
  • 정의와 자유를 위하여
    ('For Justice and Freedom')
  • 필승
    ('Certain Victory')
Mascot(s)Jindo Dog
Anniversaries15 April
Engagements
WebsiteOfficial website
Commanders
President Yoon Suk Yeol
Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun
Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Yang Yong-mo
Commandant of the Marine Corps Lieutenant General Kim Gye-hwan
Insignia
Flag

The Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC; Korean: 대한민국 해병대, romanized: Daehanminguk Haebyeongdae), also known as the ROK Marine Corps, ROK Marines or South Korean marine corps, is the naval infantry of South Korea. The ROKMC is a branch of the Republic of Korea Navy responsible for amphibious operations,[1] and also functions as a rapid reaction force and a strategic reserve.

The ROKMC was founded as a suppression operations force against communist partisans in 1949, prior to the Korean War. The ROKMC also fought in combat during the Vietnam War.

The ROK Marine Corps, with 29,000 personnel, is organized into two divisions and two separate brigades under the Headquarters ROK Marine Corps. The ROK Marine Corps has about 300 tracked vehicles including assault amphibious vehicles, main battle tanks, and self-propelled artillery.

  1. ^ "대한민국 해병대". www.rokmc.mil.kr. Retrieved 2019-02-08.