Južnokorejska vojska nastaje 1948. godine, nakon podjele Korejskog poluotoka na južni, pod Američkom okupacijom i sjeverni pod Sovjetskom. To je jedna od najbrojnijih vojski u svijetu. 2008. godine je imala prijavljeno 3.695.000 pripadnika, od toga 655.000 u aktivnom sastavu i 3.040.000 u redovnoj rezervi. Odnedavno se pripadnici južnokorejske vojske uključuju u međunarodne mirovne i protuterorističke misije, potvrđujući time svoju ulogu i odgovornost u svijetu, budući su petnaesta ekonomska sila u svijetu. Glavnokomadujućim se smatra Predsjednik Republike, koji vojskom upravlja preko Ministra odbrane, koji je uobičajeno (ali to nije zakonski određeno tako) penzionirani general ili admiral visokog ranga. 

      Created in 1948, following the division of the Krean Peninsula by occupying Soviet and U.S. forces, the Republic of Korea Armed Forces is one of the largest standing armed forces in the world with a reported personnel strength of 3,695,000 in 2008 (655,000 active force and 3,040,000 regular reserve). More recently the ROK military began increasing its participation in international affairs, acknowledging its role and responsibility as the fifteenth economic power in the world in terms of GDP. The ROK military has participated in various peacekeeping operations, and counter-terrorism operations. The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces ex officio. The military authority runs from the President to the Minister of Defense, who is commonly (but not legally bound to be) a retired 4-star General or Admiral.

      Chungryong je oficirski čin koji se smatra ekvivalent potpukovniku u kopnenoj vojsci i avijaciji te činu komodora u mornarici. Znak se sastoji od dva suncokretova cvijeta i nosi se na reveru.

Lt. COLONEL rank  

      Chungryong, often spelled Chung-Ryong, is a officer's rank which is considered the equivalent of a Lieutenant Colonel (in the Army and Air Force) and also to a Commander in the Republic of Korea Navy. The insignia of a Chungryong is denoted by two silver starbursts worn on the collar.