The South Korean army, known as the Republic of Korea armed Forces or ROK Armed Forces were formed in 1948 following a Korean Peninsula divide, they occupied Soviet and US forces. The ROK is currently one of the largest standing armed forces in the world, in 2010 the strength was reported at 3,853,000 personnel strong.
Its branches are:
Republic of Korea Army
Republic of Korea Marine Corps
Republic of Korea Air Force
Republic of Korea Navy
Republic of Korea Reserve Forces
History of ROK Armed Forces
The ROK Armed Forces were known as a constabulary force, this being until the Korean War. Neighbours North Korea, with the help of China attacked South Korea. South Korea looked to the US for support, using its weapons, ammunition and technology to fight back.
To this day South Korea continue to have a joint military partenrship with the United States, this is outlind by the Mutal Defense Treaty which was signed after the Korean War. The South Korean Army and Marines were used during the Vietnamn War helping South Vietnamn and the US.