section 1 Military Organization and forces
in the face of increasing North Korean threats, the rOK military is enhancing its command and unit
structure to maximize its capacity for joint and combined operations in diverse future operational
environments and is continuously expanding its strength, while increasing the efficiency of its current
capabilities, to be able to respond to any type of provocations.
1. Organization of the Joint Chiefs of staff
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) conducts joint and combined operations through operational
command and supervision over combat operation units and through command and supervision
over joint units.
The JCS was initially set up and operated within MND as a non-permanent organization1)
until it was officially established in 1963 under its current name. The JCS presently operates
through one vice chairman, four chief directorates and five offices under the chairman of the
JCS. The organization of the JCS is as shown in <Chart 3-1> below:
<Chart 3-1> Key Organizations of the Joint Chiefs of staff
Chairman of the JCs
Vice Chairman of the JCs
Korea Defense
Intelligence Agency
Office of the
Chairman
Chief Directorate of
Operations
Office of the Judge
Advocate
Chief Directorate of
Military support
Office of the Public
Affairs
Chief Directorate of
strategic Planning
Office of Inspector
General
Office of Analysis and
experimentation
The JCS is developing its task performance system toward close mutual support and integration among the Army, Navy and Air Force by strengthening their jointness. In preparation
1) ‘Combined Chiefs of Staff Council in 1948’, ‘Joint Chief of Staff Council’ in 1954
and ‘Combined Chief of Staff Bureau’ in 1961.
rOK armed Forces
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Chapter 3 establishing a robust Defense Posture