After a year and a half of the most vicious sort of combat, the Army of the Republic of Korea put in place a number of badly needed reforms that were demanded if the war against their communist brothers in the north was to be won. Relying on their own combat veterans as well as their United Nation’s allies, recruits were clearly schooled in what was required to survive in battle while a heavy cache of matériel filled their depots. Within a time span far briefer than anyone had anticipated, this army had evolved into a competent and reliable fighting force; disciplined and well-lead, it was at last able to both take and hold ground while simultaneously inflicting heavy casualties on their enemies.
Relieved as many Western commanders were to see how effectively the South Koreans were able to create such a force, the liabilities of this army were still many, and these are listed in this article as well.
Today, the Republic of South Korea has the fourth largest military in the world (560,000).
