| Republic of Korea Marine Corps 대한민국 해병대 (Daehanminguk Haebyeongdae) |
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ROKMC flag |
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| Active | April 15, 1949 – present |
| Country | Republic of Korea |
| Branch | Marine Corps |
| Type | Amphibious warfare |
| Role | Marine |
| Size | 27,000 |
| Part of | Republic of Korea Navy |
| Garrison/HQ | Hwaseong |
| Engagements | Korean War Vietnam War War on Terrorism |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Lieutenant General Lee Hong-hee |
The Republic of Korea Marine Corps (aka ROK Marine Corps / ROK Marines, ROKMC, Korean Hangul: 대한민국 해병대, Hanja: 大韓民國海兵隊, Revised Romanization: Daehanminguk Haebyeongdae) is the marine corps of the Republic of Korea. Though theoretically it is under the direction of the Chief of Naval Operations, the Marine Corps operates as a distinct arm of the South Korean forces, unlike most other marine branches, which generally operate as part of the country's navy. It was founded as a reconnaissance force just prior to the start of the Korean War. The ROKMC also saw combat during the Vietnam War while stationed in Da Nang, occasionally fighting alongside US Marines and Navy SEALs.
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On April 15, 1949, the Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC) was founded in Deoksan airfield in Jinhae with an initial strength of 380 men and was modeled around the United States Marine Corps. Lieutenant Colonel Shin Hyun-Joon was appointed to lead as first Commandant of the newly formed Marine Corps and as Commandant was promoted to Colonel on July 1, 1949.[1] The ROKMC troops were issued with many leftover weapons from the Imperial Japanese Army used during World War II, including the 7.7 mm Type 99 Light Machine Gun. The Marine Corps carried out suppression operations against communist elements in Jinju and Jeju-do.[2]; first saw combat action in the Korean War.
At the request of the United States, President Park Chung Hee of the Republic of Korea agreed to send military units into Vietnam, despite opposition from both the Assembly and the public. In exchange, the United States agreed to provide additional military funds to Korea to modernize its armed forces, totaling about a billion dollars.
The three main units deployed to Vietnam were the Marine Corps’ Cheongryeong ('Blue Dragon', 청룡/靑龍) Brigade, ROKA Capital Division and the White Horse Division. Various ROK special forces units were also deployed.
The Republic of Korea Army units' Tactical Area of Responsibility were the southern half of the I Corps. The ROK Marines were deployed with the I Corps alongside US Marines.
In 1973, once a separate branch of the ROK Armed Forces, the ROKMC became a part of the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN). Headquarters Republic of Korea Marine Corps was re-established in 1987.
The ROKMC has approximately 29,000 personnel, and is organized into two divisions and one brigade under Headquarters Republic of Korea Marine Corps and primarily dedicated to protecting the nation's islands.
It has such responsibilities as landing operations, accomplished in coordination with the ROKN using landing craft, surface fleets and aircraft. ROK Marines have the ability to accomplish a variety of missions including ground battles, special fighting scenarios, facility protection and security services. To execute amphibious operations, it possesses a range of amphibious equipment, including amphibious vehicles, as well as its own means of fire support. A major naval evolution during Foal Eagle 2000, an annual combined U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) exercise, was an amphibious assault launched by U.S. and ROK Marines from U.S. Navy ships belonging to 7th Fleet's permanently forward-deployed Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) based in Japan.
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