Republic of Korea Armed Forces

The Republic of Korea Armed Forces, also called the ROK Armed Forces, are the combined military of South Korea, made up of the army, navy including its marine corps, and air force. They are among the largest standing forces in the world, with a reported 3,600,000 personnel in 2022, of whom 450,000 were on active duty and 3,100,000 in reserve. The institution traces its roots to the Korean Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Korean government-in-exile formed in 1919 to resist Japanese occupation, and was formally founded in 1948 after the South Korean government was established. The Korean Constabulary and Coast Guard became the army and navy, and the air force followed in October 1949. The forces were largely constabulary until the Korean War began in 1950 and grew rapidly during it; the army and marines later fought alongside the United States in the Vietnam War. In wartime they come under United States command through the Combined Forces Command.