Korea Defense Blog
@koreadefenseblog.bsky.social
ROK defense policy, military doctrine, combat equipment and everything in between.
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10) ... workers serving in combat capacities (incl operating armed vehicles or driving troop transports). Many of these cases may constitute violations of intl law, as civilians with unclear status may be knowingly drawn into combat.
October 1, 2025 at 11:59 AM
10) ... workers serving in combat capacities (incl operating armed vehicles or driving troop transports). Many of these cases may constitute violations of intl law, as civilians with unclear status may be knowingly drawn into combat.
9) ... & active reservists, a new form of volunteer part-time professional service that is currently still categorized as civilian work for the MND. Both are being increasingly used to fill gaps in the active military force, with all active reservists & even some civilian...
October 1, 2025 at 11:59 AM
9) ... & active reservists, a new form of volunteer part-time professional service that is currently still categorized as civilian work for the MND. Both are being increasingly used to fill gaps in the active military force, with all active reservists & even some civilian...
5) ... suggested that conscription was an inefficient use of young people's time & proposed decreasing active service in favor of a volunteer force. This would cripple national defense & has fortunately not come to fruition.
His Minister of Natl Def has now come up with a more...
His Minister of Natl Def has now come up with a more...
October 1, 2025 at 11:59 AM
5) ... suggested that conscription was an inefficient use of young people's time & proposed decreasing active service in favor of a volunteer force. This would cripple national defense & has fortunately not come to fruition.
His Minister of Natl Def has now come up with a more...
His Minister of Natl Def has now come up with a more...
3) Currently, around 85 to +90% of young men are conscripted into active duty military service. Among them are many unfit recruits, including people with lifelong medical issues preventing them from basic tasks, like holding a rifle or running.
Despite maximalist conscription...
Despite maximalist conscription...
October 1, 2025 at 11:59 AM
3) Currently, around 85 to +90% of young men are conscripted into active duty military service. Among them are many unfit recruits, including people with lifelong medical issues preventing them from basic tasks, like holding a rifle or running.
Despite maximalist conscription...
Despite maximalist conscription...
2) The Armed Forces fell from 690k active troops in 2002 down to 570k in 2018 as the MND cut down to accommodate the decreasing conscription intakes, with a new reduced force model anchored at 500k - the bare minimum experts say is required to maintain defenses against the north.
October 1, 2025 at 11:59 AM
2) The Armed Forces fell from 690k active troops in 2002 down to 570k in 2018 as the MND cut down to accommodate the decreasing conscription intakes, with a new reduced force model anchored at 500k - the bare minimum experts say is required to maintain defenses against the north.
🧵 on the planned manpower reform presented by the Republic of Korea Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-baek to overcome the extreme manpower crisis, with the ROK Armed Forces currently - and for the foreseeable future - severely understaffed.
October 1, 2025 at 11:59 AM
🧵 on the planned manpower reform presented by the Republic of Korea Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-baek to overcome the extreme manpower crisis, with the ROK Armed Forces currently - and for the foreseeable future - severely understaffed.
🇰🇵 development of drones continues. Pictured are the Saetbyeol-4 (Morning Star) strategic UAV, clearly modeled after the 🇺🇲 RQ-4 Global Hawk and Geumseong (Venus) one-way attack drones, seemingly inspired by 🇮🇱/🇷🇺 models. Some experts suggest they may use AI tracking/targeting.
September 30, 2025 at 8:58 AM
🇰🇵 development of drones continues. Pictured are the Saetbyeol-4 (Morning Star) strategic UAV, clearly modeled after the 🇺🇲 RQ-4 Global Hawk and Geumseong (Venus) one-way attack drones, seemingly inspired by 🇮🇱/🇷🇺 models. Some experts suggest they may use AI tracking/targeting.
2) 🇰🇵 media showed footage of Kim Jong-un inspecting an unfinished submarine suspected of being meant for nuclear propulsion & SLBMs on March 8th. Nuclear propulsion allows for longer operations, meaning the KPA Navy may be able to pose a new nuclear threat, especially to the US.
September 19, 2025 at 8:21 AM
2) 🇰🇵 media showed footage of Kim Jong-un inspecting an unfinished submarine suspected of being meant for nuclear propulsion & SLBMs on March 8th. Nuclear propulsion allows for longer operations, meaning the KPA Navy may be able to pose a new nuclear threat, especially to the US.
1) According to an anonymous official within the 🇰🇷 MND/Armed Forces, 🇷🇺's initially passive response to 🇰🇵's request changed this year. This is obviously to be viewed in the context of the two countries' new strategic alliance, which has seen 🇰🇵 aiding 🇷🇺's invasion of 🇺🇦.
September 19, 2025 at 8:21 AM
1) According to an anonymous official within the 🇰🇷 MND/Armed Forces, 🇷🇺's initially passive response to 🇰🇵's request changed this year. This is obviously to be viewed in the context of the two countries' new strategic alliance, which has seen 🇰🇵 aiding 🇷🇺's invasion of 🇺🇦.
🧵 🇰🇵 has been requesting transfers of key components for nuclear propulsion submarines & delivery of new fighter jets from 🇷🇺 since last year. 🇰🇷 is evaluating a reported delivery of 2~3 nuclear reactor modules taken from old 🇷🇺 submarines earlier this year.
September 19, 2025 at 8:21 AM
🧵 🇰🇵 has been requesting transfers of key components for nuclear propulsion submarines & delivery of new fighter jets from 🇷🇺 since last year. 🇰🇷 is evaluating a reported delivery of 2~3 nuclear reactor modules taken from old 🇷🇺 submarines earlier this year.
4) UNIFIL's mandate mainly entails empowering the Lebanese government & its forces to control and secure their own territory. The ~300-strong ROKA battalion was first deployed in 2007 & is under the brigade-sized Sector West, itself part of the division-sized +10k-strong UNIFIL.
August 30, 2025 at 6:30 AM
4) UNIFIL's mandate mainly entails empowering the Lebanese government & its forces to control and secure their own territory. The ~300-strong ROKA battalion was first deployed in 2007 & is under the brigade-sized Sector West, itself part of the division-sized +10k-strong UNIFIL.
3) While other nations' peacekeepers have sustained casualties over the years, the ROK unit has been in a relatively safe area. The closest attack occurred on 23 Sep 2024, when two 155mm shells fired by IDF arty landed 1.2km from the ROK batallion's base.
August 30, 2025 at 6:30 AM
3) While other nations' peacekeepers have sustained casualties over the years, the ROK unit has been in a relatively safe area. The closest attack occurred on 23 Sep 2024, when two 155mm shells fired by IDF arty landed 1.2km from the ROK batallion's base.
1) With the Trump admin's wish to end UNIFIL (UN Interim Force in Lebanon), the UNSC voted to extend the mission for a final time until Dec 31 2026. The ROK MND has yet to comment on the future of the Army's Dongmyeong ("eastern light") battalion stationed in Tyre, Lebanon.
August 30, 2025 at 6:30 AM
1) With the Trump admin's wish to end UNIFIL (UN Interim Force in Lebanon), the UNSC voted to extend the mission for a final time until Dec 31 2026. The ROK MND has yet to comment on the future of the Army's Dongmyeong ("eastern light") battalion stationed in Tyre, Lebanon.
North Korean state media has revealed that Kim Jong-un attended a ceremony for some of the KPA soldiers KIA on Aug 1. Prior to the main event, a Russian Il-76 cargo plane delivered 20 remains to Pyongyang Intl Airport.
Show this to deniers of NK's involvement in the Ukraine war.
Show this to deniers of NK's involvement in the Ukraine war.
August 22, 2025 at 11:03 AM
North Korean state media has revealed that Kim Jong-un attended a ceremony for some of the KPA soldiers KIA on Aug 1. Prior to the main event, a Russian Il-76 cargo plane delivered 20 remains to Pyongyang Intl Airport.
Show this to deniers of NK's involvement in the Ukraine war.
Show this to deniers of NK's involvement in the Ukraine war.
A rifle platoon of 35 soldiers of the New Zealand Defence Force is currently training in Korea with ROK-US forces, with more deployments planned after their departure in October.
6k NZDF troops fought in the Korean War & they've been contributingn staff to UN Command since 1998.
6k NZDF troops fought in the Korean War & they've been contributingn staff to UN Command since 1998.
August 13, 2025 at 9:35 AM
A rifle platoon of 35 soldiers of the New Zealand Defence Force is currently training in Korea with ROK-US forces, with more deployments planned after their departure in October.
6k NZDF troops fought in the Korean War & they've been contributingn staff to UN Command since 1998.
6k NZDF troops fought in the Korean War & they've been contributingn staff to UN Command since 1998.
6) Marine K1A2 MBTs, K9A1 Thunder SPHs & a K239 Chunmoo MLRS conducted live fire & maneuvers. Such wide training areas do not exist in Korea, ROK armor & artillery crewmen rarely get the opportunity to shoot at max range & maneuver freely.
July 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM
6) Marine K1A2 MBTs, K9A1 Thunder SPHs & a K239 Chunmoo MLRS conducted live fire & maneuvers. Such wide training areas do not exist in Korea, ROK armor & artillery crewmen rarely get the opportunity to shoot at max range & maneuver freely.
5) Marines of a company-level mortar section operating their new KMS-114 digitized 81mm mortar. Note the kneeling crewman's privately purchased MITS ADVK pistol grip on his K1AC1 carbine, which offers a more comfortable angle & better access to the K1/K2's awkward selector.
July 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM
5) Marines of a company-level mortar section operating their new KMS-114 digitized 81mm mortar. Note the kneeling crewman's privately purchased MITS ADVK pistol grip on his K1AC1 carbine, which offers a more comfortable angle & better access to the K1/K2's awkward selector.
4) Shoutout to this Marine who replaced his mediocre issued KHB-2000 helmet with what appears to be a USGI ECH & acquired a TYR/MIF Assaulter's belt. Most ROKMC units foster a comparatively more commercial equipment-friendly culture, unlike the ROK Army.
July 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM
4) Shoutout to this Marine who replaced his mediocre issued KHB-2000 helmet with what appears to be a USGI ECH & acquired a TYR/MIF Assaulter's belt. Most ROKMC units foster a comparatively more commercial equipment-friendly culture, unlike the ROK Army.
3) The Marines, alongside Army frontline infantry, have priority when it comes to new individual gear, such as Warrior Platform optics, IR designators, polymer mags & K201C1 rail-mounted underslung 40mm grenade launchers.
July 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM
3) The Marines, alongside Army frontline infantry, have priority when it comes to new individual gear, such as Warrior Platform optics, IR designators, polymer mags & K201C1 rail-mounted underslung 40mm grenade launchers.
2) The Marine component was likely a mixed company-sized element from 1MARDIV, which acts as a national high-readiness reserve & partakes in lots of overseas exercises, such as Talisman Sabre or RIMPAC.
July 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM
2) The Marine component was likely a mixed company-sized element from 1MARDIV, which acts as a national high-readiness reserve & partakes in lots of overseas exercises, such as Talisman Sabre or RIMPAC.
1) Marines launched an air-assault & platoon-sized amphibious landing with MUH-1 Marineons & KAAV7A1s from the ROKS Marado LPH, which sailed to Australia with the ROKS Wang Geon DDH as part of a training squadron.
July 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM
1) Marines launched an air-assault & platoon-sized amphibious landing with MUH-1 Marineons & KAAV7A1s from the ROKS Marado LPH, which sailed to Australia with the ROKS Wang Geon DDH as part of a training squadron.
🧵 Pictures from Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 in Australia, where 820 ROK Army, Navy & Marine Corps troops conducted naval, amphibious & ground maneuvers alongside allies & partners.
July 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM
🧵 Pictures from Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 in Australia, where 820 ROK Army, Navy & Marine Corps troops conducted naval, amphibious & ground maneuvers alongside allies & partners.
🧵 I've written many threads on the Republic of Korea's stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but this article may sum it up the best. Recommended read.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
July 25, 2025 at 7:06 AM
🧵 I've written many threads on the Republic of Korea's stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but this article may sum it up the best. Recommended read.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
4) What's also interesting is their catalog of products not in use with ROK forces, indicating export, though THAAD decoys may be useful for ROK forces to mask US launchers.
July 19, 2025 at 1:38 PM
4) What's also interesting is their catalog of products not in use with ROK forces, indicating export, though THAAD decoys may be useful for ROK forces to mask US launchers.
3) North Korea has since launched a reconnaissance satellite & started fielding drones of various sizes, including with the help of Russia. Now, there is a very real need to mask ROK forces' maneuvers & positions in the field from frequent aerial surveillance.
July 19, 2025 at 1:38 PM
3) North Korea has since launched a reconnaissance satellite & started fielding drones of various sizes, including with the help of Russia. Now, there is a very real need to mask ROK forces' maneuvers & positions in the field from frequent aerial surveillance.