Special Forces Brigades of the Republic of Korea

The Special Forces Brigades of the Republic of Korea (ROK) are seven special warfare brigades that receive special training for counter-terrorist missions. These seven brigades are part of ROK Special Forces, founded in 1957 and fall under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command, which was created in 1969. ROK special forces brigades main tasks include reconnaissance and collecting information in enemy territory and carrying out special missions.



Special Forces Brigades
ROK Special Forces Brigades work in close relationship with the U.S. Special Forces groups. Volunteers for these brigades undergo training in high skilled weapon handling and parachuting as well as the regular physical and psychological tests. All weapons and equipment used by the ROK special forces are U.S. products. Although ROK Special Forces Brigades consist purely of volunteer soldiers, they have to reach certain requirements such as achieving a black belt in Taekwondo or any similar martial art. Battalions of ROK Special Forces Brigades are frequently used for destruction of tactical targets. Normal uniform is a camouflage combat suit and ROK Special Forces distinguish icon are their black berets with the SF badge in silver. The usual distribution of the ROK Special Forces Brigades is one battalion per each Army corps and each unit is capable of using either continuous guerrilla operations or single operations, whether or not they find themselves on friendly or enemy territory.

Each of the seven ROK Special Forces Brigades have their own mascot. They are:
 * 1) 1st Special Forces Brigade (Eagle)
 * 2) 3rd Special Forces Brigade ( Flying Tiger)
 * 3) Special Missions Group (Black Dragon)
 * 4) 7th Special Forces Brigade (Pegasus)
 * 5) 9th Special Forces Brigade (Ghost)
 * 6) 11th Special Forces Brigade (Golden Bat)
 * 7) 13th Special Forces Brigade (Black Panther)

1st Special Forces Brigade
Founded on April 1, 1958 under the name of 1st Combat Regiment. This was the original unit of the ROK Special Forces. On September 1972 it adopted the name of 1st Special Forces Brigade. A 1st Special Forces Brigade former commander, Chun Doo Hwan, serve as President of Korea from 1980-1987. Its special pocket patch emblem is the Eagle.

3rd Special Forces Brigade
Founded on January 18, 1969 under the name of 1st Ranger Brigade. On September 10, 1972 it adopted the name of 3rd Special Forces Brigade. It is well known among the other brigades for its excellence in Tae Kwon Do. Its special pocket patch emblem is the Flying Tiger.

Special Missions Group
Founded on February 17, 1969 under the name of 2nd Ranger Brigade. On September 10, 1972 it was re-designated to 5th Special Forces Brigade. Finally in 1999 it adopted the name of Special Missions Group. Its special pocket patch emblem is the Black Dragon.

7th Special Forces Brigade
Founded on October 1, 1974. This unit is known for its HALO Jumping abilities. The 7th Special Forces Brigade maintains one of the only usable year-round Drop Zone. Its special pocket patch emblem is the Flying Horse or Pegasus.

9th Special Forces Brigade
Founded on October 1, 1974, along with the 7th Special Forces Brigade. One former 9th special Forces Brigade Commander, Roh Tae-woo, serve as President of the Republic of Korea from 1987-1992. Its special pocket patch emblem is the Ghost.

11th Special Forces Brigade
Founded on October 1, 1977. Its special pocket patch emblem is the Golden Bat.

13th Special Forces Brigade
Founded on October 1, 1974, along with the 9th Special Forces Brigade as a provisional unit and was not officially recognized until October 1, 1977 along with the 11th Special Forces Brigade. Its special pocket patch emblem is the Black Panther.



707th Special Mission Battalion
Founded late in 1981 under the Executive Order of the President of the Republic of Korea as world-class Counter-terrorist force with the goal to support Domestic and International Counter-terrorist agencies. The hostage-taking situation of the 1972 Summer Olympics was key for the development of such unit in which Palestinian guerrillas belonging to the Black September organization took eleven Israeli athletes as hostages. With their headquarters in Songham, southeast of Seoul, members from 707th Special Mission Battalion are distinguished from other soldiers by their unique black berets. All operators of the 707th receive a full year of special training; six months of basic infantry combat skills and another six months of special warfare training. Every member of the 707th is SCUBA and parachute qualified.