Page 122 - 2020 Defence White Paper

Section

1 Reorganizing the Elite Unit
Structure Using Advanced

Technology

In order to respond to omnidirectional security threats, the MND is in the process of
reorganizing the current troop-intensive unit structure of the ROK Armed Forces into an
elite structure using advanced science and technology.

1. Reorganizing the Unit Structure of Each Service

Army The unit structure of the Army is being reorganized in a way that it
becomes capable of conducting rapid decisive operations. By 2022, the
Army will reduce the number of standing troops by 118,000-from 483,000 to 365,000.
In conjunction with the reduction of standing troops, the number of field army
commands has been reduced from 3 to 2, corps from 8 to 6, and divisions from 39 to 33.

On January 1, 2019, the Ground Operations Command was created by integrating
the First ROK Army (FROKA) and the Third ROK Army (TROKA) in order to
enable the Army to lead combined and joint ground operations. Regional corps have
been reorganized to execute independent operations by axis by establishing a corps-
centered operation execution system, and the maneuver corps has been reorganized
to enable rapid decisive operations by significantly improving mobility and fire
support capabilities. The Second Operations Command is continuously enhancing
its operational execution capabilities in the vast rear area by reorganizing the existing
homeland reserve divisions into local defense divisions to enable integrated defense

[Chart 4-1] Army Unit Structure Reorganization Plan

Before After

Army HQ Army HQ

First Third Second Capital Special Army Ground Second Capital Special Aviation
Aviation
ROKA ROKA Operations Defense Warfare Operations Operations Operations Defense Warfare Command
Army Army Command Command Command Command Command Command Command Command
Regional Regional Maneuver Missile Mobilization Regional Maneuver Missile Mobilization
Corps (3) Corps (4) Corps Command Force Corps (5) Corps Command Force
Command Command

2020 Defense White Paper