Military ranks of South Korea

The Military ranks of South Korea are the military insignia used by the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. Due to the close military cooperation and the presence of the United States Forces Korea, South Korean ranks are inspired by the United States.[1]

Current ranks

Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Rank group General/flag officers Field/senior officers Junior officers
Rank title 원수
元帥
Wonsu 		대장
大將
Daejang 		중장
中將
Jungjang 		소장
少將
Sojang 		준장
准將
Junjang 		대령
大領
Daeryeong 		중령
中領
Jungnyeong 		소령
少領
Soryeong 		대위
大尉
Daewi 		중위
中尉
Jungwi 		소위
少尉
Sowi
Armed Forces[2]
 Republic of Korea Army[3] Marshal of the RoK Superior general Middle general Junior general Lesser general Superior commander Middle commander Junior commander Superior lieutenant Middle lieutenant Junior lieutenant
 Republic of Korea Navy[4]
 Republic of Korea Marine Corps[2]
Superior General Middle General Junior General Lesser General Superior Commander Middle Commander Junior Commander Superior Lieutenant Middle Lieutenant Junior Lieutenant
 Republic of Korea Air Force[2] Marshal of the ROK Superior general Middle general Junior general Lesser general Superior commander Middle commander Junior commander Superior lieutenant Middle lieutenant Junior lieutenant

Warrant officer ranks

All branches of the South Korean armed forces maintain a single warrant officer rank known as Junwi. This rank falls in between non-commissioned and commissioned officers. The rank is denoted by a gold-colored Sowi insignia and, in the case of the South Korean Navy, a single broken sleeve stripe.[citation needed]

Military Branch Army Navy Marine Corps Air Force
Rank title 준위
准尉
Junwi
Insignia

Other ranks

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

Rank group Non-commissioned officer Enlisted
Rank title 원사
元士
Wonsa 		상사
上士
Sangsa 		중사
中士
Jungsa 		하사
下士
Hasa 		병장
兵長
Byeongjang 		상등병
上等兵
Sangdeungbyeong 		일등병
一等兵
Ildeungbyeong 		이등병
二等兵
Ideungbyeong
Armed Forces[2]
 Republic of Korea Army[3]
 Republic of Korea Navy[4]
 Republic of Korea Marine Corps[2]
 Republic of Korea Air Force[2]

Historic ranks

Other ranks

Rank group Non-commissioned officer Enlisted
 Republic of Korea Army
(1954–1962)[5]
 Republic of Korea Army
(1962–19??)[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ Keegan, John (1979). "South Korea". In Keegan, John (ed.). World armies. Sandhurst: Royal Military Academy. p. 415. ISBN 9780871964076. LCCN 79-9217. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "gyegeubjang-ui jesig(je7joje2hang gwanlyeon)" 계급장의 제식(제7조제2항 관련) [Rank insignia (related to Article 7 (2))]. law.go.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Army Insignia". army.mil.kr. Republic of Korea Army. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  4. ^ a b "해군계급장/해군흉.휘장". navy.mil.kr (in Korean). Republic of Korea Navy. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  5. ^ Office of Armed Forces Information and Education (1960). "Korea". Military Uniforms (DOD PAM 1-14). Department of Defense. p. 35. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  6. ^ Office of Armed Forces Information and Education (1968). "Korea". Uniforms of Seven Allies (DOD GEN-30). Department of Defense. p. 18. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  • "Korea (South)". uniforminsignia.org. The International Encyclopedia of Uniform Insignia. Retrieved 2 July 2022.