Page 116 - 2018 Defense White Paper

Section 1 Reorganizing the Unit

Structure Using Advanced

Technology

The MND plans to build up forces and develop elite unit structures capable of promptly handling omnidirectional
security threats, including those from North Korea, using the advanced science and technology of the Fourth
Industrial Revolution. The reorganization of the Army is aimed at developing a structure capable of rapid decisive
operations. The new structure of the Navy with bolstered surface, undersea, and airborne operation capabilities
will be geared for the operations of multidimensional forces, while the reorganization of the Marine Corps intends
to help enhance its amphibious operation capabilities. The Air Force will be reorganized to have a structure
capable of effect-based aerospace operations with the reinforcement of reconnaissance and surveillance
capabilities as well as multilayered defense capabilities. Units directly controlled by the MND will be restructured
with the consideration of each unit’s effectiveness of duty execution and efficiency in organization and budget use.

1. Reorganizing the Unit Structures of Armed Forces

| Army | The unit structure of the Army will be reorganized in a way that it becomes capable

of responding to omnidirectional security threats and conducting rapid decisive operations.
The number of corps and divisions will be readjusted in line with the reduction of standing
troops. The reform aims to develop a unit structure that requires fewer troops and, instead, relies

more on the technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution including the Dronebot Combat
System and the Warrior Platform gear. For unif ied and ef f icient command and execution of
ground operations, the First ROK Army (FROKA) and the Third ROK Army (TROKA)

have been merged to create the Ground Operations Command, which will be launched on
January 1, 2019. The operational execution capabilities of the Second Operations Command
will be signif icantly enhanced—the reorganization of its homeland divisions into local defense

divisions will enable integrated defense operations, while the creation of intelligence and
aviation groups will facilitate surveillance system operations, reconnaissance patrol operations,
and strike operations in vast rear areas. A rapid response division will be established in the

114 Chapter 4 Building Elite Armed Forces Using Advanced Technology