Military of South Korea

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South Korean armed forces

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Military manpower

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Military age18 years of age (24-28 months mandatory service required, depending on the military branch involved)

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Availabilitymales 15-49: 14,233,895 (2004 est.)

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Military manpowerfit for military service: males age 15-49: 8,966,241 (2004 est.)

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Reaching military age annuallymales: 341,697 (2004 est.)

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Active troops686,000 (Ranked 6th)

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Military expenditures

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Dollar figure $14.522 billion (FY03)

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Percent of GDP2.7% (FY03)

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The armed forces of the Republic of Korea consist of the:

Related Topics:
Armed forces - Republic of Korea

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• Republic of Korea Army (ROKA)
• Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN)
• Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF)
• Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC)

The military of South Korea is considered to be one of Asia's most powerful standing armed forces. Created in 1948, following the division of the Korean Peninsula by occupying Soviet and U.S. forces, it was a largely rudimentary force at most until the outbreak of the Korean War. It was heavily damaged by North Korean attacks and relied almost entirely on American support for weapons and technology. During South Korea's period of rapid growth, the military expanded to become the strongest in Asia after China.

Related Topics:
South Korea - Asia - 1948 - Korean Peninsula - Korean War - China

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Today, the South Korean military is concentrated near the Demilitarised Zone which separates South Korea from North Korea, as well as the South Korean coastline, Jeju Island, the Korea Strait and the surrounding sea. It maintains an army stronger and far larger than that of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Its air, land, and sea forces are partly supplied with high-tech armor, ammunitions, arms, transportation, and communication systems. The ground-based forces also have access to intercontinental ballistic missiles, which are controlled and maintained by the United States Forces: Korea (USFK).

Related Topics:
Demilitarised Zone - Jeju Island - Korea Strait - Japan Self-Defense Forces - Ballistic missiles - USFK

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Military of South Korea: Military Overview ►