Modern South Korean

South Korean Army

Another army which is primarily an infantry army, in the late 1980’s and on into the 1990’s it has had the economic backing of one of the fastest growing economies in the world. It follows the American model to a large extent, and is an ally. It did fight in Vietnam and proved to be effective, if brutal. The unit used for Vietnam was the Capital Mechanized Division, mounted in M113, with its armored brigade but with a tank battalion (M47) possibly attached.

South Korean Brigade Headquarters 1957 to 1997 (Commands 3-4 Battalions)

HQ 1 HQ

Recce Company 1 M8, 3 Jeep/MG

Helicopter Flight 2 OH500MD or AH1

Brigade Anti Tank Company 2 M36 or 2 M18 or 2 Jeep/Tow or 2 M150 (Tow from 1978, M36/M18 to 1990)

Divisional AA Platoon 2 Truck, 2 40AAG

Divisional Tank Company 3 M47 or M48 (in Infantry Units only)

Divisional Engineer Co


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3 Truck, 3 Engr

Note An Infantry Brigade has Trucks. Mechanized units must use M113 variants or M3 until 1967. M8 Armored cars survived until 1990. Tank dates are:

M47 No restrictions.

M48A3 From 1962, being converted

M48A5 From 1978, being converted from M48A3

Type 88 From 1988

South Korean Tank Battalion 1957 to 1997

HQ 1 HQ

3 Tank Companies each

4 M47 or M48 or Type 88

Note For dates and tank types see Brigade Headquarters.

South Korean Infantry/Mechanized Battalion 1957 to 1997

HQ 1 HQ, 1 Stinger, 1 107M, 2 Truck

3 Infantry Companies each 3 Truck or M3 HT or M113, 3 Rifle

Recce Platoon 3 Jeep/MG

Anti Tank Platoon 2 Jeep/106 or 2 Jeep/TOW (From 1982)

Note Stinger may be used from 1982. The 106RR are still used, earlier units, such as those with M3 could well have 75RR. Similarly the Infantry may have had 57RR. Dates are covered under the Brigade Headquarters.

South Korean Artillery Battalion

3 Batteries each 1 FAO, 2 Truck, 2 105H or 2 155H or M109 or 2 M107 or 2 M110 or 2 MRL or 2 M52

Note Towed 105mm and 155mm are used by Infantry Divisions. M52 were used until the Mid-1980’s and was replaced by the M109. The M107 and M59 are Divisional Heavy Artillery, M110 and MRL is Corps level units. Note that MRL is not the US MRLS.

Large Units:

Armored Division – 2 Armored Brigades, 1 Mechanized Infantry Brigade, 1 Artillery Brigade, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion, 1 Anti-Tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Armored Cavalry Squadron

Mechanized Infantry Division – 1 Armored Brigade, 2 Mechanized Infantry Brigades, 1 Artillery Regiment, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion, 1 Anti-Tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Armored Cavalry Squadron

Infantry Division – 3 Infantry Regiments, 1 Artillery Brigade, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion, 1 Anti-Tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Armored Cavalry Squadron, 1 Tank Battalion

Airborne Brigade – 4 Infantry Battalions, 1 Artillery Battalion, 1 Attack Helicopter Battalion

Marine Division – 3 Infantry Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion, 1 Anti-Tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Armored Cavalry Squadron