🇰🇷
South Korea vs China Military Ranks
The South Korean Army has 19 ranks — 11 officer and 8 enlisted — from 이등병 二等兵 Ideungbyeong up to 원수 元帥 Wonsu. Below: all 75 ranks across 4 branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines), aligned tier by tier with their Chinese equivalents.
Branches
4
Ranks documented
75
Active personnel
500K
Army
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 18 of 19 matched
| 🇰🇷 South Korea · Army | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
원수 元帥 Wonsu
|
OF-10 Marshal / General of the Army | – |
대장 大將 Daejang
|
OF-9 General |
陆军上将 (General)
|
중장 中將 Jungjang
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
陆军中将 (Lieutenant General)
|
소장 小將 Sojang
|
OF-7 Major General |
陆军少将 (Major General)
|
준장 准將 Junjang
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
陆军大校 (Senior Colonel)
|
대령 大領 Daeryeong
|
OF-5 Colonel |
陆军上校 (Colonel)
|
중령 中領 Jungnyeong
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
陆军中校 (Lieutenant Colonel)
|
소령 少領 Soryeong
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
陆军少校 (Major)
|
대위 大尉 Daewi
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
陆军上尉 (Captain)
|
중위 中尉 Jungwi
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
陆军中尉 (First Lieutenant)
陆军少尉 (Second Lieutenant)
|
소위 小尉 Sowi
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
陆军中尉 (First Lieutenant)
陆军少尉 (Second Lieutenant)
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
원사 元士 Wonsa
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
陆军一级军士长 (First Class Sergeant Major)
|
상사 上士 Sangsa
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
陆军二级军士长 (Second Class Sergeant Major)
|
중사 中士 Jungsa
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
陆军三级军士长 (Third Class Sergeant Major)
|
하사 下士 Hasa
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
陆军一级上士 (First Class Master Sergeant)
|
병장 兵長 Byeongjang
|
OR-4 Corporal |
陆军中士 (Sergeant)
|
상등병 上等兵 Sangdeungbyeong
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
陆军下士 (Corporal)
|
일등병 一等兵 Ildeungbyeong
|
OR-2 Private |
陆军上等兵 (Private First Class)
|
이등병 二等兵 Ideungbyeong
|
OR-1 Private |
陆军列兵 (Private)
|
Navy
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 18 of 19 matched
| 🇰🇷 South Korea · Navy | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
원수 元帥 Wonsu
|
OF-10 Marshal / General of the Army | – |
대장 大將 Daejang
|
OF-9 General |
海军上将 (Admiral)
|
중장 中將 Jungjang
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
海军中将 (Vice Admiral)
|
소장 小將 Sojang
|
OF-7 Major General |
海军少将 (Rear Admiral)
|
준장 准將 Junjang
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
海军大校 (Senior Captain)
|
대령 大領 Daeryeong
|
OF-5 Colonel |
海军上校 (Captain)
|
중령 中領 Jungnyeong
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
海军中校 (Commander)
|
소령 少領 Soryeong
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
海军少校 (Lieutenant Commander)
|
대위 大尉 Daewi
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
海军上尉 (Lieutenant)
|
중위 中尉 Jungwi
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
海军中尉 (Sub-Lieutenant)
海军少尉 (Ensign)
|
| 소위 小尉 Sowi | OF-1 Lieutenant |
海军中尉 (Sub-Lieutenant)
海军少尉 (Ensign)
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
원사 元士 Wonsa
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
海军一级军士长 (First Class Sergeant Major)
|
상사 上士 Sangsa
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
海军二级军士长 (Second Class Sergeant Major)
|
중사 中士 Jungsa
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
海军三级军士长 (Third Class Sergeant Major)
|
하사 下士 Hasa
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
海军一级上士 (First Class Master Sergeant)
|
병장 兵長 Byeongjang
|
OR-4 Corporal |
海军中士 (Sergeant)
|
상등병 上等兵 Sangdeungbyeong
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
海军下士 (Corporal)
|
일등병 一等兵 Ildeungbyeong
|
OR-2 Private |
海军上等兵 (Seaman First Class)
|
이등병 二等兵 Ideungbyeong
|
OR-1 Private | 海军列兵 (Seaman Recruit) |
Air Force
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 18 of 19 matched
| 🇰🇷 South Korea · Air Force | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
원수 元帥 Wonsu
|
OF-10 Marshal / General of the Army | – |
대장 大將 Daejang
|
OF-9 General |
空军上将 (General)
|
중장 中將 Jungjang
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
空军中将 (Lieutenant General)
|
소장 小將 Sojang
|
OF-7 Major General |
空军少将 (Major General)
|
준장 准將 Junjang
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
空军大校 (Senior Colonel)
|
대령 大領 Daeryeong
|
OF-5 Colonel |
空军上校 (Colonel)
|
중령 中領 Jungnyeong
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
空军中校 (Lieutenant Colonel)
|
소령 少領 Soryeong
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
空军少校 (Major)
|
대위 大尉 Daewi
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
空军上尉 (Captain)
|
중위 中尉 Jungwi
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
空军中尉 (First Lieutenant)
空军少尉 (Second Lieutenant)
|
소위 小尉 Sowi
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
空军中尉 (First Lieutenant)
空军少尉 (Second Lieutenant)
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
원사 元士 Wonsa
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
空军一级军士长 (Master sergeant first class)
|
상사 上士 Sangsa
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
空军二级军士长 (Master sergeant second class)
|
중사 中士 Jungsa
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
空军三级军士长 (Master sergeant third class)
|
하사 下士 Hasa
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
空军一级上士 (Technical sergeant)
|
병장 兵長 Byeongjang
|
OR-4 Corporal |
空军中士 (Sergeant)
|
상등병 上等兵 Sangdeungbyeong
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
空军下士 (Corporal)
|
일등병 一等兵 Ildeungbyeong
|
OR-2 Private |
空军上等兵 (Airman First Class)
|
이등병 二等兵 Ideungbyeong
|
OR-1 Private |
空军列兵 (Airman)
|
Marines
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 18 of 18 matched
| 🇰🇷 South Korea · Marines | NATO code |
Equivalent in
China has no Marines — equivalents from its Army.
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
대장 大將 Daejang
|
OF-9 General |
陆军上将 (General)
|
중장 中將 Jungjang
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
陆军中将 (Lieutenant General)
|
소장 小將 Sojang
|
OF-7 Major General |
陆军少将 (Major General)
|
준장 准將 Junjang
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
陆军大校 (Senior Colonel)
|
대령 大領 Daeryeong
|
OF-5 Colonel |
陆军上校 (Colonel)
|
중령 中領 Jungnyeong
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
陆军中校 (Lieutenant Colonel)
|
소령 少領 Soryeong
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
陆军少校 (Major)
|
대위 大尉 Daewi
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
陆军上尉 (Captain)
|
중위 中尉 Jungwi
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
陆军中尉 (First Lieutenant)
陆军少尉 (Second Lieutenant)
|
소위 小尉 Sowi
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
陆军中尉 (First Lieutenant)
陆军少尉 (Second Lieutenant)
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
원사 元士 Wonsa
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
陆军一级军士长 (First Class Sergeant Major)
|
상사 上士 Sangsa
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
陆军二级军士长 (Second Class Sergeant Major)
|
중사 中士 Jungsa
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
陆军三级军士长 (Third Class Sergeant Major)
|
하사 下士 Hasa
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
陆军一级上士 (First Class Master Sergeant)
|
병장 兵長 Byeongjang
|
OR-4 Corporal |
陆军中士 (Sergeant)
|
상등병 上等兵 Sangdeungbyeong
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
陆军下士 (Corporal)
|
일등병 一等兵 Ildeungbyeong
|
OR-2 Private |
陆军上等兵 (Private First Class)
|
이등병 二等兵 Ideungbyeong
|
OR-1 Private |
陆军列兵 (Private)
|
Overview
The armed forces of South Korea, known as the "Republic of Korea Armed Forces" or "대한민국 국군," are composed of several branches, each with specific responsibilities:
- Republic of Korea Army (대한민국 육군): The Republic of Korea Army is responsible for land-based military operations, including infantry, armored units, artillery, and support units. It plays a crucial role in national defense and security.
- Republic of Korea Navy (대한민국 해군): The Republic of Korea Navy focuses on maritime defense and security, operating various vessels, including destroyers, submarines, and patrol boats, to protect South Korea's extensive coastline and maritime interests in the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan.
- Republic of Korea Air Force (대한민국 공군): The Republic of Korea Air Force is responsible for aerial defense and operations, with fighter aircraft, transport planes, and helicopters ensuring air superiority and national defense.
South Korea Military
Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and other open sources.
Insignia image credits
- Skjoldbro — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons: 원수 元帥 Wonsu (Army), 대장 大將 Daejang (Army), 중장 中將 Jungjang (Army), 소장 小將 Sojang (Army), 준장 准將 Junjang (Army), 대령 大領 Daeryeong (Army), 중령 中領 Jungnyeong (Army), 소령 少領 Soryeong (Army), 대위 大尉 Daewi (Army), 중위 中尉 Jungwi (Army), 소위 小尉 Sowi (Army), 원사 元士 Wonsa (Army), 상사 上士 Sangsa (Army), 중사 中士 Jungsa (Army), 하사 下士 Hasa (Army), 병장 兵長 Byeongjang (Army), 상등병 上等兵 Sangdeungbyeong (Army), 일등병 一等兵 Ildeungbyeong (Army), 이등병 二等兵 Ideungbyeong (Army), 원수 元帥 Wonsu (Navy), 대장 大將 Daejang (Navy), 중장 中將 Jungjang (Navy), 소장 小將 Sojang (Navy), 준장 准將 Junjang (Navy), 대령 大領 Daeryeong (Navy), 중령 中領 Jungnyeong (Navy), 소령 少領 Soryeong (Navy), 대위 大尉 Daewi (Navy), 중위 中尉 Jungwi (Navy), 원사 元士 Wonsa (Navy), 상사 上士 Sangsa (Navy), 중사 中士 Jungsa (Navy), 하사 下士 Hasa (Navy), 병장 兵長 Byeongjang (Navy), 상등병 上等兵 Sangdeungbyeong (Navy), 일등병 一等兵 Ildeungbyeong (Navy), 이등병 二等兵 Ideungbyeong (Navy), 원수 元帥 Wonsu (Air Force), 대장 大將 Daejang (Air Force), 중장 中將 Jungjang (Air Force), 소장 小將 Sojang (Air Force), 준장 准將 Junjang (Air Force), 대령 大領 Daeryeong (Air Force), 중령 中領 Jungnyeong (Air Force), 소령 少領 Soryeong (Air Force), 대위 大尉 Daewi (Air Force), 중위 中尉 Jungwi (Air Force), 소위 小尉 Sowi (Air Force), 원사 元士 Wonsa (Air Force), 상사 上士 Sangsa (Air Force), 중사 中士 Jungsa (Air Force), 하사 下士 Hasa (Air Force), 대장 大將 Daejang (Marines), 중장 中將 Jungjang (Marines), 소장 小將 Sojang (Marines), 준장 准將 Junjang (Marines), 대령 大領 Daeryeong (Marines), 중령 中領 Jungnyeong (Marines), 소령 少領 Soryeong (Marines), 대위 大尉 Daewi (Marines), 중위 中尉 Jungwi (Marines), 소위 小尉 Sowi (Marines), 원사 元士 Wonsa (Marines), 상사 上士 Sangsa (Marines), 중사 中士 Jungsa (Marines), 하사 下士 Hasa (Marines), 병장 兵長 Byeongjang (Marines), 상등병 上等兵 Sangdeungbyeong (Marines), 일등병 一等兵 Ildeungbyeong (Marines), 이등병 二等兵 Ideungbyeong (Marines)
- Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons: 병장 兵長 Byeongjang, 상등병 上等兵 Sangdeungbyeong, 일등병 一等兵 Ildeungbyeong, 이등병 二等兵 Ideungbyeong