Military Ranks of South Korea 🇰🇷
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 Korean Air Force
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 원수 元帥 Wonsu |
|
OF-10 | Marshal / General of the Army |
| 대장 大將 Daejang |
|
OF-9 | General |
| 중장 中將 Jungjang |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| 소장 小將 Sojang |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| 준장 准將 Junjang |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| 대령 大領 Daeryeong |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| 중령 中領 Jungnyeong |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| 소령 少領 Soryeong |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| 대위 大尉 Daewi |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| 중위 中尉 Jungwi |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| 소위 小尉 Sowi |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| 원사 元士 Wonsa |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| 상사 上士 Sangsa |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| 중사 中士 Jungsa |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| 하사 下士 Hasa |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| 병장 兵長 Byeongjang |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| 상등병 上等兵 Sangdeungbyeong |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| 일등병 一等兵 Ildeungbyeong |
|
OR-2 | Private |
| 이등병 二等兵 Ideungbyeong |
|
OR-1 | Private |
South Korean Army
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 원수 元帥 Wonsu |
|
OF-10 | Marshal / General of the Army |
| 대장 大將 Daejang |
|
OF-9 | General |
| 중장 中將 Jungjang |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| 소장 小將 Sojang |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| 준장 准將 Junjang |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| 대령 大領 Daeryeong |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| 중령 中領 Jungnyeong |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| 소령 少領 Soryeong |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| 대위 大尉 Daewi |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| 중위 中尉 Jungwi |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| 소위 小尉 Sowi |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| 원사 元士 Wonsa |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| 상사 上士 Sangsa |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| 중사 中士 Jungsa |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| 하사 下士 Hasa |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| 병장 兵長 Byeongjang |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| 상등병 上等兵 Sangdeungbyeong |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| 일등병 一等兵 Ildeungbyeong |
|
OR-2 | Private |
| 이등병 二等兵 Ideungbyeong |
|
OR-1 | Private |
South Korean Marines
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 대장 大將 Daejang |
|
OF-9 | General |
| 중장 中將 Jungjang |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| 소장 小將 Sojang |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| 준장 准將 Junjang |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| 대령 大領 Daeryeong |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| 중령 中領 Jungnyeong |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| 소령 少領 Soryeong |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| 대위 大尉 Daewi |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| 중위 中尉 Jungwi |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| 소위 小尉 Sowi |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| 원사 元士 Wonsa |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| 상사 上士 Sangsa |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| 중사 中士 Jungsa |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| 하사 下士 Hasa |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| 병장 兵長 Byeongjang |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| 상등병 上等兵 Sangdeungbyeong |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| 일등병 一等兵 Ildeungbyeong |
|
OR-2 | Private |
| 이등병 二等兵 Ideungbyeong |
|
OR-1 | Private |
South Korean Navy
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 원수 元帥 Wonsu |
|
OF-10 | Marshal / General of the Army |
| 대장 大將 Daejang |
|
OF-9 | General |
| 중장 中將 Jungjang |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| 소장 小將 Sojang |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| 준장 准將 Junjang |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| 대령 大領 Daeryeong |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| 중령 中領 Jungnyeong |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| 소령 少領 Soryeong |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| 대위 大尉 Daewi |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| 중위 中尉 Jungwi |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| 소위 小尉 Sowi | OF-1 | Lieutenant | |
| 원사 元士 Wonsa |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| 상사 上士 Sangsa |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| 중사 中士 Jungsa |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| 하사 下士 Hasa |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| 병장 兵長 Byeongjang |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| 상등병 上等兵 Sangdeungbyeong |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| 일등병 一等兵 Ildeungbyeong |
|
OR-2 | Private |
| 이등병 二等兵 Ideungbyeong |
|
OR-1 | Private |