Among America's allied countries sending troops to Vietnam to fight, South Korea is the most actively participating country, has the largest number of troops and is considered by the United States to be the most effective combatant. On the battlefield of Zone 5 (including 5 provinces: Phu Yen, Binh Dinh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Khanh Hoa), Korean military forces have a very special position and have "shared" nearly 40%. of war manpower for the United States, becoming the "backbone" of operations. According to statistics from the Korean Government, during the 8 years and 5 months (from September 1964 to March 1973) of fighting in Vietnam, the Korean army conducted and participated in 1,170 combat operations. large-scale operations (company level and above) and over 556,000 small-scale operations (from platoon level and below).
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Bản đồ đóng quân của quân đội Hàn Quốc tại miền Nam Việt Nam.
Data table on Korean forces participating in the war in Vietnam
According to records stored at the National Archives Center II, in 1965, the Korean National Assembly (also known as Korea) agreed to send a combat division to assist the Republic of Vietnam. The above-mentioned division, consisting of elite Korean units, with a force of 19,000 people, has been established and will complete the move to fight to support the Republic of Vietnam at the end of October 1965.
On September 20, 1965, the Second Korean Marine Brigade “R.O.K. 2d Marine Brigade" of the "Tiger Division" held a departure ceremony for the Republic of Vietnam. The aforementioned vanguard brigade will be called the "Blue Dragon Brigade" consisting of about 4,000 soldiers and placed under the command of Major General Bong Chul Lee. Lieutenant General Myong Shin Chae will be the Commander-in-Chief of Korean forces in Vietnam, concurrently holding the position of Commander of the "Tiger Division". By August 1966, Infantry Unit 6625, known as the Bach Ma Division, was being trained in guerrilla warfare to adapt to the Vietnamese battlefield and was assigned to reinforce Vietnam by Major General So Dong Yi. Huy.
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Korean units were dispatched to Vietnam from 1965-1969
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List of facilities belonging to Korean forces in the Republic of Vietnam as of January 31, 1972
When arriving in Vietnam, the Korean army replaced the Army of the Republic of Vietnam and the United States occupying and operating in the Central provinces. In particular, the Blue Dragon Brigade operates from Phu Yen to Quang Ngai to replace US marine units in the Binh Son and Son Tinh areas (Quang Ngai) to control influence, surround and destroy. 95th Regiment of the North Vietnamese Army. In addition, it is also to control the important rice granary in Phu Yen. The Tiger Division is responsible for guarding the entire northern area of tactical zone II, stretching from the East Sea to bordering Lower Laos and Northeast Cambodia. If we master this area, we will not only create a separation and isolate the battlefield of South Vietnam from North Vietnam, but we will also be able to master Route 19, starting from Quy Nhon (Binh Dinh) through An Khe to Pleiku (Gia Lai), extending to the Cambodian border. The "White Horse" Division is responsible for controlling all population along National Highway 1, from Phan Rang to Quy Nhon and the mountainous area of southern Binh Dinh province.
From 1971 to 1973, after more than 5 years of fighting in Vietnam, the Korean army gradually withdrew its soldiers, first the Blue Dragon Brigade.
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The Tiger Division commanded by Lieutenant General Chae Myng Shin arrived in Quy Nhon October 20, 1965
The welcoming ceremony of the Tiger Division
Operations and results of units of the Korean Army 1965-1969
Activities of the Korean military
Activities of the Korean military
List of facilities belonging to Korean forces in the Republic of Vietnam as of January 31, 1972