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Foundation and Development of theRepublic of Korea Marine Corps

Kim,Hyun-Ki 1

1경기대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This Article attempt to provide a historically description of the establishment of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC) and it's development. The ROKMC was established on April 15, 1949 at Jinhae Naval Airfield (Deoksandae) with 380 marines (Officers: 26, Non-Commissioned officers: 54, Enlistedmen: 380). During the Korean War, the ROKMC carried out the combats of Gunsan, Iri, Janghang and then took part in the Hamyang, Jinju, Jindongri, and Tongyeong battles. Just after the Incheon Amphibious Landing Operations and recapture of Capital Seoul, Korea, the ROKMC carried out Wonsan, Goseong, Hamheung Battles and then took part in Andong, Yeongdeok, Yeongwol, Hongcheon, Hwacheon, Dosolsan, Kim Il-sung, Gimpo, Jangdan Battles. The ROKMC had a nickname of Invincible Marines with indomitable fighting spirit and created glorious tradition at the first stage of the Korean War. During the Vietnam War (1964-72), the ROKMC took part in war with the US Marine Corps (USMC) against the North Vietnam. The ROK 2nd Marine Brigade, which is called Cheongryong (Blue Dragoon) Troops had 4,130 personnel (Officers: 208, Enlistedmen: 3,922) which fought various combat with Cheogryong 1st Operations, Haeryong Operations, Tra Bin Dong Operations, Yongdu Operations, The Loi Operations, Seungryong 7-21, 21-1, 15-1 Operations, Hoi An Operations, and Hwangryong Operations. The ROKMC wrote a record brilliant victory against the North Vietcong with 9,619 killed in actions (KIA), 687 prisoners of war (POW) through 151,437 times of small troop operations and 168 times of operations over battalion size. The ROKMC even another nickname of Korean Marines leaves myth to the world. 14 years of without Headquarters (HQs) of the ROKMC, they recreated HQs of the ROKMC on November 1, 1987 in Seoul just beside of the ROK Navy HQs. In order to effective operations of multi-purpose rapid reaction forces, the ROKMC moved to new base, Balan for the future development. The ROMC reformed, found and drive forwarded chain of command, Education and Training Group, multi-purpose rapid reaction troops, making IT and scientific marines, and the ROK-US Combined Marines Component Command (CMCC). For the future developing and strong Marines, I would lie to concluded that the ROKMC must solve the matters of issue as follow. First, Creating the Marine Air-Ground Task Forces (MAGTF) as the ROK style as soon as possible. Second, insurance of the ROK amphibious capability itself. Third, epoch-making enhancement of transportation capability for the ROK amphibious forces. Fourth, appropriation enhancement of amphibious command, landing, transport ships for the ROK Navy.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.