Hi!

Hope everyone is having a nice day. Today's write-up focuses on a relatively small unit with a very important mission. Let's dig right in!

History of North Korea's Special Purpose Forces

Kim Il-sung had a special interest in guerrilla and unconventional warfare, having himself been a partisan in Manchuria during World War II. This carried over into the use of commandos during the Korean War as well. Special forces such as the 766th Independent Infantry Regiment conducted amphibious operations in the Samcheok area right after the war broke out — almost half of North Korea's gains on the first day of the war are attributed to these commandos!

1.21 incident / North Korean Unit 124 infiltrated via the mountains and reached Seoul with unbelievable speed in January 1968. The captured Shin-Jo Kim (second to the left) would later bluntly say on live television that he was sent to assassinate the Korean president.

After the war, surviving remnants of reconnaissance and intelligence units consolidated into "sniper" units, and these unconventional-warfare forces expanded to about a dozen regiment- and brigade-sized units by 1965. Subordinate units drew public attention in January 1968, when one attempted to assassinate the South Korean president (failing just 800 meters from the presidential residence!), and again in October of that year, when another infiltrated the Uljin-Samcheok area to build a communist guerrilla network within South Korea. That attempt failed after villagers reported the infiltrators to authorities rather than joining them.

Korea People's Navy (KPN) emblem

Following these two major failures in 1968, North Korea disbanded all its special purpose units and rebuilt a new unconventional force under the newly formed 8th Special Purpose Corps. Around this time, Kim Il-sung's doctrine shifted from pure guerrilla warfare toward a broader "special operations" role. The corps was renamed again in 1983 as the "Light Infantry Training and Guidance Bureau." By the late 1980s, this bureau commanded roughly 25 light infantry, reconnaissance, sniper, and airborne brigades — one of which was the Korean People's Navy's Je Isipgu Haesang Jeogyeok Ryeodan, or 29th Navy Sniper Brigade.

The KPN fielded two navy sniper brigades in the 1980s: the 29th, responsible for the West Sea (Yellow Sea), and the 24th, responsible for the East Sea (Sea of Japan). Navy sniper brigades stood out within the Light Infantry Training and Guidance Bureau for their specialization in amphibious warfare — unlike sniper brigades from other branches, the Navy's units were capable of both conventional and unconventional operations.

Baengnyeong-do, Daecheong-do, Socheong-do, Dae/So-Yeonpyeong-do are the Five Islands of the West Sea

While the exact TO&E for these brigades remains uncertain, the Navy sniper brigades are known to have included units resembling American-style "marines," alongside special infiltration and intelligence elements. From the mid-to-late 1980s, North Korea began building hovercraft for amphibious operations in the West Sea. The 29th Navy Sniper Brigade's mission is believed to have been conducting amphibious operations across the 'Five Islands of the West Sea' in the event of war.

Geopolitical Significance of the Five Islands of the West Sea

These islands originally belonged to Hwanghae Province. When the Northern Limit Line (NLL) was established after the Korean War, however, they became South Korean territory under Incheon Province. Sitting quite literally in front of North Korean territory, the islands were a constant irritant — on clear days, North Korean military and maritime activity was visible to the naked eye, with no advanced surveillance equipment required.

Considered an "unsinkable aircraft carrier," South Korea stationed marine units on all five islands. The presence of marines with offensive capability on every island was a serious burden for North Korea, forcing it to maintain a large defensive force in adjacent areas in case of a counter-amphibious assault launched from them.

Je Isipgu Haesang Jeogyeok Ryeodan in the WARNO Timeline

The Bombardment of Yeonpyeongdo happened on November 23rd, 2010. At 14:34 Korean time, North Korea fired around 170 artillery rounds at Yeonpyeong-do, resulting in the deaths of two Marines and two civilians. This incident would be one of the few times in the 21st century when war between South and North Korea seemed imminent.

Today's music: speed is key!

With the second "Liberation War" on the brink, the Labor Party and higher command order an amphibious assault on one of the five islands three hours before the main attack on the DMZ. The 29th Navy Sniper Brigade is assigned to Yeonpyeong-do (Yeonpyeong Island), roughly 7 km² in size — about twice the size of Central Park. Capturing this island would make the sea route to the larger, more northern Baengnyeong Island extremely inefficient. Coincidentally, this would also cut off an entire ROKMC brigade stationed on Baengnyeong Island, making it difficult for South Korea to contest the islands without committing significant naval and air power.

South Korean marine, navy, and air force presence on Yeonpyeong Island is relatively smaller than on Baengnyeong Island. Still, command isn't taking any chances. The 29th Navy Sniper Brigade will use hovercrafts to reach the shore, supported by a contingent of KPA and various sniper brigade units, aiming to swiftly capture the island before South Korea even realizes war has broken out.

Je Isipgu Haesang Jeogyeok Ryeodan in WARNO

How will the Je Isipgu Haesang Jeogyeok Ryeodan be featured in WARNO? New units are shown in bold italics. As always, this is a work in progress and subject to change.

As expected, navy sniper brigade elements (units marked 'HAE.') all come with the Resolute trait!

LOG

An average category — the first "average" logistics category for North Korea! Since the fighting takes place on an island so close to home, supply won't be too difficult to ferry.

-Command options include the HAE. GAZ-46 JIHWI amphibious jeep and the armored HAE. BTR-60PBK.

Kong Bang II class hovercraft

-Supply units consist of the '68 HWAMULCHA BOGEUP light truck, a truck version of the GAENGSAENG-68. The KPA also supports with a few Z-5 BOGEUP (Mi-4 copy). In addition, the KONG BANG II BOGEUP heavy hovercraft supply option is available.

INF

An excellent category. Expect a mix of navy, air force, army sniper brigade, and support elements!

Navy Sniper Brigade soldiers crossing a frozen river

-The backbone of the brigade is the HAESANG JEOGYEOK, a 9-strong unit with 7x Type 88, a Type 68 MG, a Type 78 DMR (heavily influenced by the Romanian PSL), and an RPG-7VM. The HAESANG JEOGYEOK [FLAM] is a 9-man unit with 7x Type 88 and 2x LPO-50 flamethrowers. Both ride the '68 HWAMULCHA or the PTS-M.

-HAESANG JEOGYEOK JIHWI is a 5-man command unit with 4x Type 88 and a Type 78 DMR, riding the HAE. GAZ-46 or HAE. BTR-60PB.

Navy sniper brigade support units include:

-HAE. Type 68 7.62mm GPMG teams

-HAE. B-10 82mm recoilless rifle squads

-HAE. BAN-TANK FAGOT Fagot-M teams (courtesy of the Soviet Union!)

Support units ride the HAE. GAZ-46 jeep. As naval infantry, all of the above carry the Resolute and Shock traits.

-A small contingent of KPAAF Sniper Brigade elements is represented by one card of URAE (Korean for "thunder," and the paratroopers' nickname). Air force sniper brigades are typically used to neutralize radar, AA, and air-force facilities. Their goal will be duly noted as an airborne-forward-deployed, 7-strong squad with 6x Type 88, a Type 73 MG, a Strela-2M, and satchel charges. They ride the '68 HWAMULCHA and carry the Shock trait.

Sniper Brigade elements during an infiltration exercise. Note the second man to the left armed with the Type 62

-The KPA also lends a hand with its airmobile sniper brigade! YUKJEONDAE is an 8-man unit with 6x Type 88, 2x Type 62 (RPD), and an RPG-2. It isn't forward-deployed, but rides either the unarmed Z-5 or the Z-5 [RKT] helicopter, armed with 32x 57mm rockets. This unit carries the Special Forces, Shock, and Mountaineer traits.

You can't run maritime operations without help from the Coast Guard! The Coastal Security Bureau maintained six security brigades in total, with the 15th Security Brigade responsible for the waters adjacent to Yeonpyeong Island.

North Korean Coast Guards wear the same brownish KPA uniform.

-The SUSANG BOAN-DAE is a 15-strong unit with 4x Type 49 SMG (PPSh-41), 10x Type 68 (AKM), and a DP-28, riding the SEUNGRI-58 truck or the PTS-M. SUSANG BOAN-DAE JIHWI is a 3-man command unit with 3x Type 49 SMGs, riding the SEUNGRI-58.

-The Coast Guard brings its own support weapons in the form of the SU. DShK 12.7mm (AA), riding the SEUNGRI-58 truck. Despite being trained, these elements aren't meant for combat, so all Coast Guard units carry the Militia and Security traits!

ART

You can imagine how close Yeonpyeong Island is to North Korea

An average category. Even though the navy sniper brigade is the most heavily armed sniper brigade formation, it's still limited to light mortars for organic fire support. That said, thanks to the short distance involved, KPA coastal guns and mainland support are available in limited numbers.

-The sole mortar is the HAE. PM-37 82mm, towed by the '68 HWAMULCHA.

M-46 130mm Coastal gun loading up

-Tube artillery includes the ZIS-3 76.2mm gun and the M-46 130mm gun, both towed by the SEUNGRI-58 truck.

Kim Jong-un (black) inspecting the massive M-1978 KOKSAN

-North Korea sees this operation as a good opportunity to test its long-range artillery. The M-1978 KOKSAN is a 170mm SPG on a T-54/55 chassis with a ridiculously long barrel, with a maximum range assumed to be 54km — long enough that, firing from the DMZ, Seoul would be within direct reach! This range allows it to support this amphibious operation well into the mainland. But nothing's perfect: the gun sacrifices nearly everything else for that range. The crew has no protection, and its rate of fire is assumed to be barely one round per minute.

Type 63 MLRS being pushed by an all-female squad

-The navy sniper brigade is reinforced with the HAE. TYPE 63 BANGSA-PO, a 12-round 107mm MLRS towed by the '68 HWAMULCHA.

TANK

An expensive category. Operating tanks on such a small island is inherently limited!

Shmel ATGM in North Korean service

-The HAE. GAENGSAENG-68 SHMEL is a GAENGSAENG-68 fitted with 4x 9M6 Shmel ATGM launchers on the back.

-Towed anti-tank guns are available as the D-44 85mm, towed by the SEUNGRI-58 truck.

Front and back of the Type 82 light tank. Also known as Shinheung, M-1985, PT-85, etc. This tank is known as the very first indigenous tank made by North Korea (even prior to the Ch'onma-ho).

-The sole tank is the few cards of TYPE 82 GYEONG-TANK, a light tank built on an extended SHINHEUNG APC chassis and armed with an 85mm cannon. Despite similarities to the Soviet PT-76, the Type 82 has a better gun and is assumed to have improved mobility and armor. As an amphibious tank, it's the brigade's only tank support!

REC

A strong category — reconnaissance is one of the sniper brigades' core missions, after all!

-HAE. JEONGCHALDAE is a 4-strong unit with 4x Type 88, riding the HAE. GAZ-46 jeep.

Combat divers and special purpose forces elements during an exercise in the 1980s

-The HAESANG CHIMTUBU is a 7-man unit with 3x Vz. 61 SMGs, 4x M16A1s, and an M72A1 LAW. This intelligence diver unit is attached to the Navy Sniper Brigade for amphibious infiltration. As a covert unconventional warfare unit deployed ahead of the first echelon of naval infantry, they reconnoiter the area disguised as ROKA soldiers. As such, they're airborne-forward-deployed with the Resolute, Special Forces, Shock, and False Flag traits, riding either the stolen TALCHWI K-311 light truck or the HYEOKSIN-2 helicopter.

-Coast Guard patrol teams are represented by the SUSANG JEONGCHAL, a 5-man unit with 5x Type 49 SMGs, riding the SEUNGRI-58. They carry the Security and Militia traits, and — since the Coast Guard used surveillance equipment to monitor the seas and South Korean islands — the GSR trait as well.

Vehicle recon options include:

-The HAE. BTR-60PB JEONGCHAL recon APC. Given limited numbers, it's used purely as a recon vehicle rather than to transport recon infantry.

-PT-76B GYEONG-TANK amphibious light tank.

Only known picture of MI-4PL used by the KPN

-The MI-4PL, an anti-submarine warfare variant of the Mi-4 operated by the KPN. With amphibious operations underway, this helicopter's exceptional optics let it scan the area for enemy activity!

AA

An expensive category. Sniper brigades generally lack anti-air assets to begin with, so don't expect any long-range AA!

-The HAE. HWASUNG-CHONG Strela-2M MANPADS team, deployed from the HAE. GAZ-46 jeep, and the ZPU-2 anti-air gun, towed by the '68 HWAMULCHA.

A modified M-1992 APC with four MANPADS launchers

-But don't worry! The KPA will help out with the ZIL-131 ZPU-4 and the M-1992 HWASUNG-CHONG. The latter uses a modified M-1992 chassis with the troop compartment removed and 4x MANPADS launchers added at the rear. As a march-to-war system, it's armed with a small number of early-production IGLA-1 missiles (different from the in-game IGLA, mind you!) available to North Korea in the late 1980s. It also carries the Amphibious trait.

HEL

An average category. North Korean helicopter options are limited, but all variants are offered in plenty of cards.

Armed Hyeoksin-2 fleet during an exercise

-First up is the HYEOKSIN-2 JUNG1, an Mi-2 armed with two 57mm UB-16 rocket pods.

-The Z-5 JIWON is a Z-5 helicopter armed with two UB-16 rocket pods and an AGS-17 mounted forward on the fuselage. And the Z-5 JUNG is armed with 4x SUSONG-PO ATGMs and two UB-16 rocket pods.

AIR

A good category. Expect heavy air support to make up for the lack of AA! Assets come in numerous cards to enforce complete air and maritime dominance near Yeonpyeong Island.

KPAAF SU-7BMK

-Pure ground attackers include the Su-7BMK [RKT], armed with 2x NR-30 cannons and 2x UB-32 57mm rocket pods, and its [HE] variant, which swaps the rocket pods for 2x FAB-500 bombs. The Chinese version of the MiG-21 also supports operations: the F-7 [HE1], armed with 2x Type 30-1 30mm cannons, 2x FAB-250 bombs, and 2x R-3S missiles.

-That's not all! The KPAAF also contributes one of its newer jets, the Su-25K [KMGU], armed with a GSh-30-2, a KMGU mine dispenser, and 2x R-60M missiles, along with the MIG-23ML [AT], armed with a GSh-23L, 2x Kh-23M missiles, and 2x UB-32 rocket pods.

-Air superiority missions are handled by the F-7 [AA], with 2x Type 30-1 30mm cannons and 4x R-3S missiles. The numerous MIG-23ML [AA] with a GSh-23L, 2x R-24R, and 4x R-60M missiles.

The North Korean MiG-29 with its iconic dark green and blue painting

-The significance of this mission granted the use of the MIG-29 9.12B, also known as the Fulcrum-A, armed with a GSh-30-1, 2x R-27R1 missiles, and 4x R-60M missiles. Although a downgrade of the Soviet version, this jet will be more than enough to fight off the first-responding enemy air force! As a precious KPAAF fighter, this plane will be represented as a single card.

Summary

The Je Isipgu Haesang Jeogyeok Ryeodan is an infantry- and recon-heavy brigade backed by strong air support. But given its light composition, holding ground for long against heavier divisions will be challenging.

Ending Remarks

The 29th Navy Sniper Brigade is known to have been intended for amphibious operations in the West Sea during wartime, though how much outside support it would actually receive remains unclear. Even so, I tried to make this brigade as combat-effective as possible in WARNO's terms!

I feel this brigade shares some similarities with the Polish Korpus Desantowy — stronger in some respects, weaker in others. Since most North Korean units in a wartime scenario would be motorized or heavier, I wanted to build a lighter formation that emphasizes special operations. North Korean special forces were, and still are, a notable threat after all.

Hello,

With Eugen away on vacation, hopefully write-ups from me and others will help keep users entertained while waiting for the next content. Without further ado, let me introduce the next North Korean division for my hypothetical Second Korean War expansion!

Mechanization History of the KPA

With the state ideology of military self-reliance emerging after the Korean War, North Korea made various efforts to build an indigenous arms industry — from small arms to APCs and tanks. These efforts were clearly aimed at transforming an on-foot army into a mechanized one.

However, the KPA's concept of mechanization differed from Western or Soviet approaches. For example, KPA mechanized infantry was designed to transport troops safely, so its mechanized formations leaned more toward an APC or truck structure rather than a true IFV organization. North Korea's mechanization effort focused on equipping units with tanks, SPGs, and SPAAGs — not on forming IFV-based infantry combat units. As a result, around 40 to 60 percent of KPA "mechanized" infantry was actually truck-mounted!

Whatever the underlying goal, North Korea managed to form four Gigyehwa Gundan, or mechanized corps (the 108th, 806th, 425th, and 815th), by the 1980s. All fell under a separate Mechanized Command (also called Tank Command), with structures flexible depending on a corps' wartime mission. Like the infantry corps, mechanized corps were grouped into forward and rear formations — meaning there was a difference in equipment quality between the two.

An ideal North Korean wartime operation would deem a breakthrough possible within a few days

Forward mechanized corps were meant to exploit breakthroughs created by forward infantry corps, pushing deep through the gap to destroy enemy tactical reserves through maneuver warfare. If the 6th Guards Infantry Division successfully broke through South Korea's defenses, the 815th Mechanized Corps — positioned in Sariwon, North Hwanghae Province, slightly behind Kaesong — would exploit that opening to drive even deeper into South Korea.

815th Mechanized Corps in the WARNO Timeline

During the tense summer of 1989, North Korea begins shifting equipment priorities among its forward corps for more effective maneuver warfare. Regular infantry units begin receiving more trucks and tanks from mechanized corps to improve mobility, while mechanized formations, in turn, shift focus toward APCs for "protected" infantry transport.

As a result, the requisitioning of 815th Mechanized Corps assets shrinks the formation down to division size. Despite its smaller size, Mechanized Command sees this as a way to use the unit's strengths more effectively, since it's now far more mobile than its previous corps structure. This "wartime structure" transforms the corps into the 815th Gigyehwa Bobyeong Sadan, or 815th Mechanized Infantry Division.

815th GIGYEHWA BOBYEONG SADAN in WARNO

How will the 815th Gigyehwa Bobyeong Sadan be featured in WARNO? New units are shown in bold italics. As always, this is a work in progress and subject to change.

LOG

An expensive category. A mechanized division's logistics situation is no better than an infantry division's in wartime — distribute supplies wisely for these supply-hungry forces!

Shinheung APC, also known as the VTT-323. Despite being known as a copy of the Type 63, the Shinheung is longer and has one more wheel. The Korean on the APC reads 'Destroy the American invaders!'

-Command options include the GAENGSAENG-68 JIHWI jeep and the newer GAENGSAENG-85 JIHWI jeep (a UAZ-469 copy). As a mechanized division, it also receives the SHINHEUNG JIHWI command APC (a North Korean upgrade of the Chinese Type 63 APC).

-Supply units consist of the SEUNGRI-58 BOGEUP medium truck and SEUNGRI-256 BOGEUP heavy truck (North Korean KrAZ-255). Helicopter supply comes via the HYEOKSIN-2 BOGEUP. As a division built for continuous maneuver, it won't have a FOB.

INF

A very good category, being a mechanized infantry division! Expect a mix of tracked APC, wheeled APC, and truck-mounted infantry.

The original Shinheung APC has a BTR-style turret with two KPVT machine guns crammed into it. Utilizing this APC to its maximum capacity will be key to victory.

-The vast majority of the forces are the JANGGAP BOBYEONG, or armored infantry. JANG-BO is a 10-strong unit with 7x Type 88, 2x Type 73 MG (30-round magazine-fed PK), one Type 68 MG, and an RPG-7VS, riding the SHINHEUNG double-KPVT APC or the SEUNGRI-58 truck. JANG-BO [BTR] is a 7-man unit with 5x Type 88, 2x Type 73 MG, and an RPG-7VM, riding the BTR-60PB as its sole option.

Shinheung with the Type 63 MLRS. With infantry mounted, there will be no space to carry spare rocket ammo.

-The JANG-BO JIHWI is a 6-man command squad with 6x Type 88 and smoke grenades, riding the SEUNGRI-58 truck or the SHINHEUNG BANGSA-PO — a SHINHEUNG APC with a single KPVT mount and an 18-round Type 63 107mm MLRS on the back. Due to limited space, it carries no spare rockets.

Odd for a machine gun, the Type 73 can fire rifle grenades.

-The JANG-BO JIWON is a 6-strong fire support unit armed with 3x Type 88, 3x Type 73 MG, and PGN-60 anti-tank grenades, riding the SHINHEUNG or SEUNGRI-58 truck.

Infantry support units include:

Kim Il-sung (right) inspecting the AGS-17

Type 68 7.62 GPMG teams

AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher teams

B-11 107mm recoilless rifle squads

BAN-TANK SUSONG-PO (a copy of the Malyutka-M) ATGM teams

All support units ride the GAENGSAENG-68 jeep.

-Discipline and political enforcement are handled by the GYEONGMU-BU, a 4-strong unit with 4x Type 88 riding the GAENGSAENG-68 GYEONGMU military police jeep. They will have military police and resolute traits.

-Like the infantry corps, mechanized units receive light infantry support, represented by the GYEONG-BOBYEONG: a 7-man unit with 6x Type 88, a Type 62, and the lighter RPG-2. In the 815th Mechanized, this unit's only transport option is the HYEOKSIN-2 helicopter.

-Engineer support is lighter here. DUDEOJI is a 6-strong unit with 5x Type 68, a Type 68 MG, PGN-60 anti-tank grenades, and satchel charges. DUDEOJI [FLAM] is a 10-strong unit with 9x Type 68 and an LPO-50 flamethrower. DUDEOJI JIHWI is a 6-man command unit with 6x Type 68 and PGN-60. All engineer units ride the SEUNGRI-58 truck as their only option.

ART

An average category. As a mechanized formation, most artillery here is self-propelled.

-Mortars include the PM-37 82mm mortar, towed by the GAENGSAENG-68 jeep, or the self-propelled SHINHEUNG 82mm — a SHINHEUNG APC armed with the PM-37.

The M-1985 Jahaeng-po with its fully enclosed gun / assumed to be inspired by the Soviet Akatsiya SPG

-Tube artillery includes the M-1977 JAHAENG-PO, a 122mm D-30 mounted on an open-top SHINHEUNG APC, and the M-1985 JAHAENG-PO — a North Korean ATS-59 tractor fitted with a Chinese copy of the D-20 152mm gun. This is one of the few North Korean SPGs with a fully enclosed gun.

-MLRS options include the plentiful BM-11 BANGSA-PO, a 30-round 122mm rocket system, and the older BMD-200 BANGSA-PO, a 4-round 200mm MLRS.

TANK

A good category. Mechanized elements were usually issued better tanks and anti-tank units — make good use of them for your push!

Type 62 light tank in Chinese service. North Korean version will be identical. Oddly enough, North Korea did not swap the Type 54 HMG for the KPVT for these tanks.

-The first option is the T-55A, armed with the KPVT instead of the DShK. The division also receives the Type 62 GYEONG-TANK, a Chinese Type 62 light tank. Armed with an 85mm gun and faster than MBTs of its era, it sacrifices armor significantly in return — any LAW is assumed effective against it, so treat it more as an infantry fire support vehicle.

But the real workhorse is the CH'ONMA-HO! Its development history is unclear, but it's believed North Korea requested T-62 tanks from the Soviet Union in the 1970s, with the eventual goal of producing its own version. When the Soviet Union moved on to the T-72, North Korea bought the entire T-62 production line and equipment, enabling it to build its own indigenous tank: the CH'ONMA-HO.

Kim Jong-il inspecting the Ch'onma-ho 'NA' model. Note the laser rangefinder on top of the cannon.

-There's plenty of the CH'ONMA-HO-NA, the tank's first major upgrade. Though essentially a T-62, it adds a North Korean laser rangefinder and ballistic fire-control computer, and is armed with the KPVT heavy machine gun. A command variant, the CH'ONMA-HO-NA JIHWI, is also available.

First production Ch'onma-ho 'GA' model with a MANPADS stick on top of the engine room

-One card of the older CH'ONMA-GA HWASUNG-CHONG is also available to the 815th! The "GA" model is essentially identical to the original T-62 but with the KPVT added, plus a Strela-2M MANPADS mounted behind the turret.

Shinheung APC fielding SUSONG-PO ATGMs

-ATGM options include the GAENGSAENG-85 SUSONG-PO ATGM jeep and the SHINHEUNG BAN-TANK APC, armed with a single KPVT and four SUSONG-PO launchers.

ATS-59 tractor with the BS-3. Note the laser rangefinder on top of the gun. Despite the 'huge' upgrade, the hardware is assumed to be quite basic.

-Anti-tank gun options include the JAHAENG JIKSA-PO — an ATS-59 tractor mounting a BS-3 100mm anti-tank gun with a laser rangefinder for slightly improved accuracy.

REC

A truncated category. As a second-echelon force, it lacks proper forward-deployed recon units for its push.

The M-1992 caused quite a bit of confusion when it first appeared in a parade. The vehicle seems to have some similarities with the BRDM-1, but the development history for this equipment is basically unknown.

-Light recon is represented by the JEONGCHALDAE — a 4-man unit with 4x Type 88 rifles and an RPG-7VM, riding the GAENGSAENG-68 jeep. But as a mechanized division, it also fields armored recon: the JANGGAP JEONGCHAL, an 8-strong unit with 7x Type 88, a Type 73 MG, and an RPG-7VS, riding the SEUNGRI-58 truck or the M-1992-1 recon APC armed with an AGS-17.

Dedicated vehicle recon includes:

North Korean PT-76B during training. Panels indicate that this tank is simulating using the South Korean Central Highway to reach Busan

The BTR-40A, armed with a single 7.62mm SGMB machine gun.

The PT-76B GYEONG-TANK amphibious light tank.

The HYEOKSIN-2 JEONGCHAL, an unarmed Mi-2 recon helicopter.

AA

An average category. Like the artillery tab, most options here are self-propelled.

-The HWASUNG-CHONG Strela-2M MANPADS team is deployable from the GAENGSAENG-68 jeep. And the ZPU-4, towed by the SEUNGRI-58 truck.

-ATS-59 tractor-based SPAAG options include:

M-1985 57mm SPAAG. There is no radar for this vehicle, indicating everything is done by eye measurement. It is also assumed that this does not have an automatic ammo feeding system.

M-1984 GOSA-PO, with an open-top ZPU-4.

M-1985 37mm, with an open-top dual M1939 37mm cannon.

M-1985 57mm, with an open-top dual S-67A 57mm cannon.

Pongae-1

-The long-range missile option is the PONGAE-1 — essentially a Soviet S-75, fielded as a single-shot missile towed by the ZIL-131. Expect heavy reliance on these long-range missiles, since the KPAAF struggles to penetrate ROKAF and USAF defenses!

HEL

An expensive category. Despite having a few options, filling these slots means sacrificing elsewhere!

-The cheap MD500 SUSONG-PO, armed with 4x SUSONG-PO ATGM missiles.

ATGM rails on top of the pylon for the Hyeoksin-2 helicopter

-HYEOKSIN-2 JUNG1, an Mi-2 armed with two 57mm UB-16 rocket pods, and the HYEOKSIN-2 JUNG2, which adds 4x SUSONG-PO ATGMs on top of the rocket pods pylon. This will essentially be North Korea's version of an attack helicopter!

AIR

An average category. The KPAAF struggles to push deeper into South Korea against heavy AA nets and enemy air power.

KPAAF pilot boarding the MIG-23ML. Although around 40 airframes seem to be operational in real life, this will not be the case in WARNO's timeline. Expect more MIG-23 jets in upcoming divisions.

-F-5 [AA], armed with 2x NS-23, one N-37 37mm cannon, and 2x R-3S missiles. Do not confuse this with the Freedom Fighter! The F-5 is the export variant of the Chinese J-5, which itself is a MiG-17. Though a phased-out design, it will be used en masse to saturate enemy airspace — expect plenty of cards for this cheap unit! While this plane serves as a distraction, proper air-superiority missions fall to the far more advanced MIG-23ML [AA], armed with a GSh-23L, 2x R-24R, and 4x R-60M missiles.

F-5 on the right, armed with an R-3S missile. North Korea successfully upgraded its F-5 fleet by adding more hardpoints.

-Ground attackers include the ubiquitous F-6 [HE], armed with 3x NR-30 30mm cannons, 4x FAB-250 250kg bombs, and 2x R-3S missiles, along with the "lighter" F-5 [HE], armed with 2x NS-23, one N-37, 2x R-3S missiles, and 2x FAB-100 bombs.

-Other options include the MIG-21PFM [RKT], armed with 2x UB-16 57mm rocket pods, and the MIG-21PFM [AT], armed with 2x Kh-66 missiles! The latter is available as only one card, so don't let it go to waste.

Summary

The 815th Gigyehwabobyeong Sadan relies on APCs and improved tanks to maneuver across the battlefield, with a mobile recon force to support its attack. However, its relatively limited helicopter and aircraft assets make it harder to control the skies.

Ending Remarks

The 815th Mechanized Corps was downsized to a division at some unknown point in modern history. While the reason for the downsizing is unclear, it gave me the idea to make this unit division-sized in the first place. During the Cold War, this corps' structure didn't include a division under it — it was a corps made of numerous tank and mechanized/motorized infantry brigades, making it look more like an oversized division than a traditional corps in the Western or South Korean sense.

-Why not more HWASUNG-CHONG vehicles?

I think what made North Korea unique in WGRD was the sheer number of HWASUNG-CHONG APCs and tanks it could field. That said, the practicality of this is questionable — these variants have never actually been spotted in real exercises. So it's safe to assume this variant is more parade show-off material than real battlefield tactics. Still, that won't stop it from appearing in my future write-ups :)

-What would the CH'ONMA-HO tank fire?

The ammunition used by North Korean tanks is largely a mystery, but reports suggest it's similar to Soviet T-62 rounds. Since the "GA" and "NA" variants are early versions of the CH'ONMA-HO, I think it's reasonable to give the gun stats similar to the in-game T-62 Obr. 67, with better modifications in future write-ups receiving improved KE rounds.

-Why are the weapon designations so confusing?

Even I pull my hair out seeing everything named "M-(Year)." It's worth noting the year in the name refers to when the equipment was first publicly seen, not when it was actually made. So the M-1992-1 recon APC is dated 1992 because that's when it was first spotted, even though production is assumed to date back to the late 1980s. Why it has "-1" at the end will be explained in a future write-up.

-Did North Korea use the Kh-66?

There's no record of the KPAAF actually using the Kh-66. I added it as a bit of a "march-to-war" element — since the MiG-21PFM is capable of carrying it, I felt there'd be no reason the Soviets wouldn't supply some, given the improved relations in this alternate timeline. And besides, the KPAAF would be a junkyard without M2W.

Hi,

With all four of my ROK/US BLUFOR division writeups complete, I'm starting my North Korean REDFOR division writeups! Like before, there will be 4 divisions (or brigades) representing the North Korean Armed Forces in a hypothetical Second Korean War in 1989.

Upcoming writeups will include some "what-if" scenarios and arms deals that didn't pan out in real life. These "march-to-war" elements help address the KPA's otherwise dire situation in the 1980s. Let's go!

North Korean Armed Forces History

KPA emblem / North Korean divisions are known not to show division emblems for 'security' reasons. But there is also a possiblity they don't have emblems as a whole.

The Joseon Inmingun, or Korean People's Army (KPA), had ambitions of unifying the peninsula ever since it was divided after World War II. However, those ambitions were shattered when the Korean War didn't go as planned and ended with the 1953 armistice. After the war, North Korea concluded that self-reliant military strength was the key to survival. Because of this, Kim Il-sung purged rival factions to consolidate power over both the communist party and the military. Around this time, the state ideology of military, economic, and personal self-reliance — known as "Juche" — emerged.

Tunnel No. 1 found by the South Korean 25th Infantry Division. Width and height is assumed to be 90 x 120 cm.

Following the Sino-Soviet split, North Korea balanced relations with both countries to extract aid from each. The state flourished through the 1960s and 70s, which fueled military development as well. North Korean doctrine came to emphasize asymmetric and unconventional warfare — infiltration units, special forces, raids, and tunnels — to force the enemy to fight on multiple fronts.

This prosperity also helped build up domestic arms production and reduced reliance on Soviet and Chinese support. By the 1980s, however, the economy began to stagnate. North Korea still received limited Soviet support, but not enough to maintain its aging armed forces. With the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the Soviet Union, North Korea faced growing isolation, leading to economic and military struggles in the decades that followed.

North Korea in the WARNO Timeline

Read with music! War emerges once again on the Korean peninsula

In WARNO's alternate history, however, Soviet–North Korean relations grow suspiciously close after 1987. What was limited support in real life becomes full-scale support, including new weaponry. Soviet instructors are sent to train elite North Korean units in new weapons and tactics. With full Soviet backing once again, the Kim regime sees this as its last chance to reunify the peninsula.

https://preview.redd.it/1a66vy3iswgh1.jpg?width=760&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=22a16478533a2936ee573240e13e80ae9a77d7e7

With improved training and tactics, North Korea plans to attack the same day Soviet forces push through Fulda. As war breaks out in Europe, the first North Korean units are seen breaching the DMZ. Among the first to cross the minefields is the Geunwi Je-Yuk Bobyeong Sadan, or 6th Guards Infantry Division.

Geunwi Je-Yuk Bobyeong Sadan History

The division's roots are believed to trace back to Korean Volunteer Army elements serving under Chinese guerrilla units during World War II. After the war, it underwent several reorganizations until 1949, when new KPA infantry and artillery units bolstered the formation. This strengthened unit was designated the 6th Infantry Division, based in Sariwon, North Hwanghae Province.

In the early stages of the Korean War, this division captured Kaesong and swiftly maneuvered south through Gimpo to cut off Seoul's rear. This impressive maneuver earned the division its "Guard" title. Despite that strong performance, the division suddenly delayed its advance further south. The delay was significant enough to give South Korea valuable time to build defensive lines early in the war — and it remains one of the biggest mysteries of the Korean War to this day.

https://preview.redd.it/qrv9zp7ztwgh1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=cbd1f4add58cad89a61466152b829bdb1e80bd2f

After the war, the division relocated to northern Kaesong under the 2nd Corps — placing it directly opposite the South Korean 1st Infantry Division! The 2nd Corps is expected to receive substantial engineer support to cross the DMZ's rugged terrain and rivers in the event of war. Like its South Korean counterpart, the 6th Guards Infantry Division continues to secure the GOP and GP within its operational area today.

The Geunwi Je-Yuk Bobyeong Sadan in WARNO

How will the division be featured in WARNO? New units are shown in bold italics. As always, this is a work in progress and subject to change.

LOG

An expensive category. North Korea never standardized its equipment, and the resulting logistics problems persist to this day — a war would only make things worse. So despite having a few options, slot costs will not be generous!

Gaengseang-68 jeep in Pyeongyang

-Command options include the GAENGSAENG-68 JIHWI jeep, a North Korean copy of the GAZ-69. A helicopter option is also available as the HYEOKSIN-2 JIHWI — a semi-knock-down MI-2 assembled in North Korea.

K-61 during an exercise. Although an engineer asset, the big cargo space will be useful to ferry cargo along rivers.

-Supply units are the SEUNGRI-58 BOGEUP medium truck, ZIL-131 BOGEUP heavy truck, and K-61 BOGEUP tracked amphibious supply carrier. Prepared for war, the division also gets access to the BOGEUPWON (FOB).

INF

A strong category, with plenty of infantry and engineer options to push through the DMZ.

An incredibly low resolution video footage of North Korean infantry moving over barbed wire in the 1980s

Line infantry consists of the BOBYEONG, an 8-strong unit with 6x Type 88 (North Korean AK-74), 2x Type 68 MG (PK equivalent), and RPG-7VM, riding the SEUNGRI-58 truck. The BOBYEONG JIHWI is its 4-man command variant, with 4x Type 88, RPG-7VM, and smoke grenades, riding the GAENGSAENG-68.

The DANDO-JEOGYEOK BAN reflects battalion anti-tank elements, a 6-strong squad with 2 RPG-7VS racks, also riding the SEUNGRI-58.

Infantry fire support units include:

-Type 68 7.62 7.62mm GPMG teams

-B-10 82mm recoilless rifle squads

Susong-po in action during the 80s

-BAN-TANK SUSONG-PO (a copy of the Malyutka-M) ATGM teams

All will ride the GAENGSAENG-68 jeep.

You can't push through the minefields of the Korean border without engineers! North Korea has a nickname for them: dudeoji, meaning "mole." As digging experts, they proudly carry this name into battle.

BTS-2 preparing for a parade

-DUDEOJI is a 6-strong unit with 5x Type 68 (North Korean AKM), a Type 68 MG, PGN-60 Polish anti-tank grenades, and satchel charges. They ride the SEUNGRI-58 truck or the BTS-2 — a turretless T-54 armed with a KPVT heavy machine gun, used as an ARV. Despite the name, they won't be singing K-pop! DUDEOJI [FLAM] is a 10-strong unit with 9x Type 68 and an LPO-50 flamethrower, riding the SEUNGRI-58.

DUDEOJI JIHWI is a 6-man command unit with 6x Type 68 and PGN-60, riding the SEUNGRI-58 truck or the BTS-2. As engineers, they will automatically have the shock trait.

Every North Korean corps has a light infantry brigade for flanking and infiltration missions within its operational area, relying on superior mobility. Unlike Western concepts of light infantry, North Korea's version is literally light — units sacrifice weight for mobility, and that's reflected here.

-GYEONG-BOBYEONG is a 7-man unit with 6x Type 88, a Type 62 (RPD), and the lighter RPG-2. They ride the BTR-60PB or the HYEOKSIN-2 helicopter for extra mobility, and carry the mountaineer trait as dedicated light infantry.

A Gyeongmu-bu soldier in the 2000s / all these soldiers will wear a red armband

-As a communist dictatorship, North Korea stationed political officers throughout its corps, divisions, and lower units to monitor loyalty to the regime rather than combat readiness. This is represented by the GYEONGMU-BU, a 4-strong unit with 4x Type 88 riding the GAENGSAENG-68 GYEONGMU military police jeep. As men sent from the labor party, they carry both the military police and resolute traits.

ART

A good category. Where South Korea's artillery doctrine focused on saturating the North before it could properly attack, North Korea's artillery aimed to neutralize South Korean defenses to enable its own advance. Expect a wide range of calibers, from divisional guns to outside artillery support.

-Mortars include the Korean War-era PM-37 82mm mortar and PM-43 120mm mortar, both towed by the GAENGSAENG-68.

Type 66 152mm howitzers

-Tube artillery consists of the ZIS-3 76.2mm gun, D-30 122mm artillery, and Type 66 152mm artillery (a Chinese copy of the Soviet D-20). All towed by the ZIL-131 truck.

https://preview.redd.it/j5xmk7ir8xgh1.png?width=598&format=png&auto=webp&s=246a28ec40e3c69c50e9f5e0b8793acc7911a013

-North Korea was a dedicated MLRS user from the 1970s onward, experimenting with foreign systems and its own designs, including various vehicle-mounted attempts. Divisional MLRS assets are represented by the SEUNGRI-61NA BANGSA-PO, a 24-round Type 75 107mm MRL mounted on a SEUNGRI-61NA truck.

M-1975 Jahaeng-po loading a round

-The 620th Artillery Corps, based within the 2nd Corps' operational area, contributes a few assets to the push. Self-propelled artillery is available as the M-1975 JAHAENG-PO, a North Korean-built ATS-59 tractor fitted with the Chinese Type 59-1 130mm gun. And an MLRS option as the BM-11 BANGSA-PO, a 30-round 122mm rocket system.

TANK

An expensive category. Tanks in a regular infantry division weren't especially impressive, since the better tanks went to heavier divisions (North Koreans pronounce tank as "ddank"). Still, their fire support capability shouldn't be underestimated!

KPVT used as an AA machine gun for tanks

-One card of the venerable T-55A. North Korea favored the KPVT heavy machine gun, so this tank carries a KPVT instead of a DShK! Another option is the numerous Chinese TYPE 59-1, a copy of the T-54A — though unlike the Soviet original, it lacks a stabilizer. It also mounts the KPVT as its heavy machine gun. A command variant, the TYPE 59-1 JIHWI, is also available.

-Towed anti-tank guns are the D-44 85mm and BS-3 100mm, both towed by the ZIL-131.

-A small contingent of GAENGSAENG-85 SUSONG-PO ATGM jeeps represents a dispatched ATGM battalion from the 2nd Corps. (The GAENGSAENG-85 is a copy of the UAZ-469. There's no confirmed evidence North Korea operated ATGM jeeps in the 1980s, but the concept did enter service later — so consider this unit a predecessor of future equipment!)

REC

A decent category. Unlike South Korea, North Korea pursued proper recon equipment through the Soviets and Eastern Europeans, and sometimes smuggled commercial gear from Japan. Soviet instructors also helped improve North Korea's electronic warfare and jamming capabilities in the mid-1980s.

-Divisional recon is assumed to be roughly company-sized, represented by the JEONGCHALDAE — a 4-man unit with 4x Type 88 rifles and an RPG-7VM, riding the GAENGSAENG-68 jeep.

Yet another impressive quality picture of North Korean Il-jedae soldiers around a post

-Like its South Korean counterpart, North Korea naturally manned its GOP (General Outpost), which it calls the "1st Echelon." The IL-JEDAE is an 8-strong unit with 6x Type 88, 2x Type 68 MG, and an RPG-7VM, riding the SEUNGRI-58 truck.

North Korean Navy recon battalion agents captured in South Korea

-The General Staff's Reconnaissance Bureau handled intelligence gathering and special operations. The 2nd Corps fields a recon battalion from this bureau for DMZ infiltration missions, represented here as Unit 586 (the Reconnaissance Bureau's actual designation) — a 5-man unit armed with 2x Vz. 61 SMGs, 3x M16A1 rifles, and a captured M72A1 LAW from Vietnam. As special infiltration troops, they carry the ground surveillance radar, special force, shock, and false flag traits, and are airborne-forward-deployed. They ride the GAENGSAENG-85 JEONGCHAL unarmed recon jeep, which also carries the special force trait.

Vehicle options include:

-The venerable BTR-40, armed with a single 7.62mm SGMB machine gun.

SNAR-2 radar / person on the far right is Kim Jong-il

-The SNAR-2 counter-battery radar, mounted on an ATS-59 tractor. The exact service date is unconfirmed, but even as older equipment by the late 80s, it's still capable of detecting enemy artillery.

-The MD500 JEONGCHAL, the sole helicopter recon option. North Korea smuggled MD500 samples through West Germany in the mid-80s and is believed to operate around 80 of them. Since South Korea flew the same helicopter during the Cold War, mix-ups over whether it was friend or foe reportedly happened more than once — hence this unit will feature the false flag trait.

AN-2 with rocket pods under it's wings

-North Korea also operated large numbers of the AN-2 biplane. Here it's converted into a recon role with wing-mounted rocket pods for attack capability! The AN-2 JEONGCHAL, despite being considered a museum piece, will carry 20x 57mm rockets.

AA

A somewhat truncated category. Organic anti-air battalions were limited to 14.5mm heavy machine guns — but the 2nd Corps helps fill the gap.

-Divisional assets are the ZPU-4, towed by the SEUNGRI-58 truck.

S-60 ready to be sent via train

-Corps support is reflected as the HWASUNG-CHONG Strela-2M MANPADS team, deployable from the GAENGSAENG-68 jeep. The S-60 57mm anti-air gun, towed by the ZIL-131. And the PONGAE-2 returns to WARNO! — a KrAZ-255 truck carrying two S-125 missiles on its cargo bed. This valuable long-range AA asset is available as a single card only.

HEL

An expensive category with just one slot. Despite having some helicopters available, higher command reserved them for more mobile divisions.

-MD500 SUSONG-PO, armed with 4x SUSONG-PO ATGM missiles.

AIR

A strong category. The KPAAF supports the 6th Guards Infantry Division's push through the DMZ. The aircraft aren't top quality, but they make up for it in numbers.

-MIG-21PFM [RKT], armed with 2x UB-16 57mm rocket pods; a [HE] variant swaps the rockets and missiles for 2x FAB-500 bombs. It has no internal cannons, so don't take unnecessary risks with it!

North Korea quite successfully 'upgraded' their F-6 fleet by adding six additional wing/fuselage hardpoints to carry a much heavier payload

-A stronger ground-attack option is the F-6, a Chinese version of the MiG-19. As one of the few true fighter-bombers available, it comes with plenty of cards. The F-6 [HE] carries 3x NR-30 30mm cannons, 4x FAB-250 250kg bombs, and 2x R-3S missiles.

-A single card of the heavy bomber B-5 [HE] — an unlicensed Chinese copy of the Il-28 — carries one FAB-3000M-46 3,000kg bomb for bigger boom!

-The sole air-superiority role goes to the MIG-21MF [AA], armed with a GSh-23L cannon and 4x R-3S missiles.

Summary

The Geunwi Je-Yuk Bobyeong Sadan is a division rich in infantry, artillery, and air support, built for a major offensive push. It may lack high-tech equipment, but it makes up for it with a large pool of older gear.

Ending Remarks

Researching North Korean armed forces was quite a journey. I lost count of how many documents, records, and quotes I read just to get a glimpse into this country. North Korea is like a black hole — no one truly understands what's going on inside, and the only way to get a clear picture is to go in personally.

Foreign and Korean records often disagree, and defector accounts add even more confusion. Still, I feel I've put together something with this division — and there's more to come!

Main sources

Bermudez – Shield of the Great Leader (link)

Mitzer & Oliemans – The Armed Forces of North Korea (link)

Minnich – The North Korean People's Army: Origins and Current Tactics (link)

Hi again!

This is the last BLUFOR write-up for now. The last division is, once again, a South Korean division — but this time a reservist one. I know a lot of people don't like reservist "slop" divisions, but as in many countries, the reserve force is an essential part of Korea's national defense. Let's dive right in!

Military duty in South Korea

First, let's briefly cover the military service duty every Korean man has to complete upon becoming an adult. No one wants to do it, but there's no other option. In 1989, when WARNO was set, the Army and Marine Corps service period was 30 months. Navy service was a bit longer at 32 months, and the Air Force was 35 months. Plenty of time to master one's occupational specialty!

As a joke, Bangwi would be assigned the 'important' task of shaking nickel-silver lunch boxes on top of tall buildings to jam enemy radar. (Scene from the movie 'The Ugly Duckling')

Alternative service included Bangwi (Defense Servicemen) duty. These short-term conscripts, who received only basic training, were deployed to the rear because divisions farther back — or mobilization divisions — lacked manpower. Service periods varied from 6 to 18 months depending on the individual's situation. Although they were conscripts just like everyone else, Bangwis were usually deemed unfit for active duty and tended to have a much easier time than "real" active-duty service members. After all, Bangwis went home after their shift! That alone shows how privileged they were compared to others. (These conscripts will come up again later, so don't forget them!)

South Korean reserve force

South Korean Reserve Force with their 'Duckhunter' uniform

After being discharged, everyone automatically became a reservist — a status that lasted until they turned 33. Despite their reserve status, reserves were mobilized numerous times during the Cold War whenever North Korean infiltrators breached an area. In 1968 alone, more than 300 infiltrations occurred across the country, with reserve units responding as a punitive force.

Organizationally, reserves were divided into Mobilization Reserves (Gapho) and General Reserves. Mobilization reserves were people who had been discharged relatively recently; these "fresh" reserves were armed similarly to active members and briefly trained to reinforce active front-line divisions or fill out mobilization divisions. General reserves, meanwhile, mostly served a security role near their hometowns or important facilities.

72nd Infantry Division

Starting in the 1960s, reserve training units began forming around the country. In 1981, the 72nd Training Unit was formed under the Capital Corps in Yangju (near Paju, where the 1st Infantry Division is located). Two years later, the unit was reassigned to 1st Corps and became the Je-Chilsibi Bobyeong Sadan, or 72nd Infantry Division "Olympic."

Je-Chilsibi Bobyeong Sadan history and its place in WARNO's timeline

start NATOWAVE music!

Once it became a division, its main peacetime mission was training reserves. As a low-readiness mobilization division, it was expected to absorb thousands of reserves in the event of war.

The division had three infantry regiments: the 200th, 201st, and 202nd. The latter two were manned by a skeleton crew of regular conscripts and short-term Bangwis. The 200th regiment, on the other hand, operated at full strength, with a handful of regulars and a large number of Bangwis filling most positions. Because of this, despite Bangwis generally being known for easier service, those in the 200th regiment were notorious for having it rough. Since the regiment trained like an ordinary frontline unit, these short-term soldiers even took part in Team Spirit exercises lasting four to eight weeks.

Since the 200th regiment had the most manpower, it was also deployed for security duty during the 1988 Seoul Olympics. This is when the president gave the division its nickname, "Olympic."

With WARNO's alternate-history twist, North Korean espionage activity surges in the late 80s. Active-duty divisions on the frontline are preparing for war, while mobilization divisions start gathering reserves. A mobilization division like the 72nd Infantry — far from first in line for new equipment — rushes to arm itself with whatever is available in storage. It also starts consulting nearby units to get familiar with "new" equipment.

BLUFOR formations of all the writeups so far

Despite being a mobilization unit, this division was stationed at key points in upper Gyeonggi Province. With infiltrations happening non-stop in WARNO's timeline, the division mobilizes its reserves to fight the infiltrators who breached upper Seoul. So even before the Second Korean War erupts, the division has already mobilized most of its troops for local skirmishes. With the war going hot in the summer of 1989, the 72nd Infantry Division's mission becomes more than just local warfare.

Je-Chilsibi Bobyeong Sadan in WARNO

How will the Je-Chilsibi Bobyeong Sadan be featured in WARNO? New units are shown in bold italics. As always, the following is still a work in progress and subject to change.

LOG

A very good category. The division has already been fighting North Korean spies before the war even began, and its logistical routes have been formed with whatever it could gather and mobilize.

-Command units are the usual K-111 BONBU jeep and the new KM900 BONBU APC. The latter is a license-built Italian FIAT 6614 armed with an M60.

A SH 8T cargo truck

-Supply units consist of the M715 BOGEUP light truck, the SH 8T BOGEUP medium truck, and the SH 11T BOGEUP heavy truck. The latter two are civilian trucks, since Korea had an "Act on Emergency Preparedness" that allowed the government to requisition trucks during emergencies. As a division already prepared to fight, it will also have the BOGEUPSO (FOB).

INF

Also a very good category. The handful of conscripts in a mobilization division work as instructors for reserves during both peacetime and wartime. The short-term Bangwis, despite also being conscripts, lacked professionalism due to their short service time. And since reserve forces have been mobilized numerous times in the past to fight off infiltrators, they won't be inexperienced "green" soldiers.

Reserves riding civilian trucks during mobilization training in 1977

-The bread and butter of the 72nd Infantry is the numerous YEBIGUN. Despite being reserves armed with Korean War-era weapons, their experience is not to be underestimated! This 9-man squad is armed with 7x M1 Carbine, 2x BAR, and an M20 Super Bazooka, riding the civilian SH 8T TRUCK. The Younger Mobilization Reserves will be represented as YEBIGUN GAPHO, a 15-strong unit with 12x M1 Carbine, a BAR, 2x M1919A6, and an M18 RCL. They will ride the SH 11T TRUCK into battle.

Reserve forces mobilized in 1978

All YEBIGUN units will have the reservist trait. However, since the reserves are already deployed fighting their own local war, they will be up-vettable.

-The sole command unit in this tab will be the YEBIGUN BONBU, a 4-man squad with 4x M1 Carbine and smoke grenades. They will ride the M715 light truck.

JOGYO instructors of the Korea Military Academy in 1979 (also conscripts!)

-The handful of conscripts will be represented as JOGYO, a 6-strong instructor squad with 5x M16A1, an M60, and an M67 RCL, riding the M715 or the KM900 APC armed with a heavy .50 cal machine gun. As instructors, this unit will naturally have the instructor trait.

K-300 truck armed with MG50 during a parade in the 80s

-The countless short-term Bangwi soldiers of the 200th regiment will be represented as BANGWI, a 10-man unit with 9x M16A1, an M60, and an M72 LAW, riding the K-300 [MG50], a .50 cal-armed soft-skin truck. As short-term, "unprofessional" troops, these units will be vet-locked.

Just because this is a poor mobilization division doesn't mean it has no engineer support!

Elements of 6th Corps using the M2 Flamethrower during training. Although phased out by the late 80s, the flamethrower was still an option for ROK armed forces.

-Reserves mobilized as engineers will be represented as YEBI. GONGBYEONG, a 10-man unit armed with 9x M1 Carbine, a BAR, and satchel charges. Unfortunately, FLASH launchers weren't something reserve storage would have, so instead they will have YEBI. GONGBYEONG [FLAM], a 7-strong squad with 3x M3 Grease Gun, 3x M1 Carbine, and an M2 flamethrower. Both will have the reservist and shock trait, while riding the SH 8T TRUCK.

Support units consist of:

Reserve forces firing the M1919 during Urban defence training in Daegu, 1982

-YEBI. M1919 medium machine gun teams and the YEBI. M2HB 12.7mm M63 multi-purpose machine gun team, deploying in the M715.

-M40 recoilless rifle teams, deploying in the K-111 jeep. This unit will be manned by active conscripts.

-The only ATGM unit in this division is the TOW, deployed in K-111 jeeps. This will be the old "OG" TOW missile, operated by conscripts.

-The usual HEONBYEONG military police squads will watch over the reserves with their K-111 HEONBYEONG military police jeep.

ART

A decent category. As a mobilization division, its organic artillery was limited to old weaponry — definitely a "quantity over quality" tab.

-Mortars consist of the KM29A1 81mm mortar, manned by active soldiers, and the WW2-era YEBI. M2 4.2" mortar, manned by reserves. Both will be towed by the M715 truck.

Civilian trucks drafted as troop transport and artillery tow trucks in 1978

-More reserves will operate the numerous YEBI. M101 105mm and YEBI. M59 LONG TOM 155mm artillery. Both will be towed by the ROKA M35.

The K-136 MLRS during training. The Agency for Defense Development was apparently given a photo of the BM-21 without any further information from the government and had been ordered to make 'something similar' to the one in the photo.

-The nearby 1st Artillery Brigade will aid the lackluster 72nd Infantry with whatever it can spare, though! The brigade's assets are the M107 PYEONGSA-PO 175mm SPGs and the K-136 KOORYONG 36-round 130mm MLRS.

TANK

A not-so-good category. The 72nd Infantry established its organic tank company (not even a full battalion) in 1992. However, with the tide of war in 1989, the division started looking for tanks of its own much earlier. Since it has never operated tanks before, it will need to consult outside tank formations!

-The hastily established tank unit consists of the reserve-operated YEBI. M47 tank and the YEBI. M47 BONBU leader variant. As a reservist unit, it will be identical to the Belgian M47.

ROK M48A3K duirng Team Spirit '83

-The nearby 6th Corps' independent tank battalion will instruct these units with their JOGYO M48A3K. This tank will have the instructor trait and will be similar in stats to the West German M48A2CGA1, but lacking the reservist trait.

REC

An okay category. The 72nd Infantry's operational zone included the main North Korean commando route used during the Bluehouse Raid in 1968 — a route they used to reach Seoul and try to assassinate the president! With this history and the rise in spy activity, the division is using everything possible to patrol its divisional area.

-The division's recon battalion assets are the SUSAEK BAN, a 4-man scout unit with 4x K1A submachine guns, carrying the shock and mountaineer traits. They will ride the K-111 jeep or the JEONGCHAL KM900 recon APC armed with a .50 cal.

-Reserves will bolster recon efforts with YEBI. SUSAEK BAN, a 6-strong unit with 2x M3 Grease Gun and 4x M1 Carbine. They will ride the M715 truck.

Commando Regiment soldiers in the late 80s in front of a Heuy

-With active enemy spies in the 1st Corps area, the 701st Commando Regiment will already be deployed to hunt down North Korean infiltrators, even within this division's zone. This will be represented as TEUKGONG-DAE, 6-strong squads with 5x K2 rifle, a K3 LMG, and an M72 LAW, riding the K-511 truck or the ROKA UH-1H. Despite the name, these regiments were mostly made up of conscripts, so they will only have the shock and mountaineer traits.

Vehicle reconnaissance options are the following:

-The typical JEONGCHAL K-111 jeep, armed with the M60.

-MD500 [RKT] light helicopter, armed with 14 FFAR rockets.

AA

An average category. A backline mobilization division wouldn't usually have organic AA units in 1989. But like other tabs, the division will arm itself with whatever is available and whatever help it can get.

-SEUNGJEON-PO is a quad .50 cal towed by the K-300 truck. Despite being a phased-out weapon, it will be manned by active conscripts.

-The M2A1 40mm is a WW2-era 40mm Bofors cannon without any upgrades, manned by reserves. It will have the reservist trait and will be towed by the K-300 truck.

K-300 wielding a vulcan cannon during a parade in the 80s

-For decades, South Korea tried to develop a mobile SPAAG, with many prototypes and failed attempts during the Cold War. This will be represented as the K-300 VULCAN, a K-300 truck with the KM167 VADS bolted onto the cargo bed.

-The sole missile option is the valuable I-HAWK, spared by the 1st Corps.

HEL

There is nothing. Army Command and the USFK cannot spare attack helicopters for a mere mobilization division during war.

AIR

An average category, but slot costs will rise steeply. The air force is already busy prioritizing strike missions near the border. Make every plane count!

F-86 fleet in 1960

-Welcome the old-timers! The F-86F Sabres of the Republic of Korea Air Force didn't retire until 1990. These old jets will be represented as the F-86F [RKT], armed with 6x .50 cal and 16 HVAR rockets, and the [HE] variant, which replaces the rockets with 4x MK 82 bombs. Plus the [AA] version, with 2x AIM-9B missiles.

-The usual KF-5E JEGONGHO [HE], with twin 20mm guns and 2x MK 82 bombs, and the [AA] variant, with 2x AIM-9P missiles.

-ROKAF's most venerable Phantom jets will help out this division too. The 72nd Infantry will have access to one card of the F-4E PEACE PHEASANT II [AT], with a 20mm Vulcan cannon, 2x AIM-7E missiles, and 2x AGM-65B Maverick missiles.

Summary

The South Korean Je-Chilsibi Bobyeong Sadan is a division with experienced reserves and infantry, tank instructors. However, it lacks any helicopter support and faces a tight air-force situation. Mistakes are not tolerated for its few expensive assets!

Ending remarks

I feel this might be one of the poorest reservist divisions, if it somehow makes it into WARNO. Without outside support, a South Korean mobilization division would have been barely operational in the 80s.

-No helicopters?

This seems to be an option Eugen implements for poor divisions. But in real life too, there's essentially no possibility that higher command would spare helicopters for a mobilization division. I added the rocket MD500 as a miracle "what-if" for this division.

-How can this division fight air spam?

This actually bugged me more than I expected. South Korean divisions' doctrine is to cooperate with corps assets when necessary; with a ton of air defense nets in the upper Gyeonggi area, the odds of a division this poor receiving support from I-HAWK batteries are very low, but never zero.

Due to the I-HAWK, I decided not to add a proper long-range interceptor. In case of war, 1st Corps' airspace would be saturated with ROKAF, USAF, and KPAAF jets — an air-superiority Phantom or Falcon jet passing through the 72nd Division's operational zone is all but certain.

However, since the ROKAF F-4 AT has long-range missiles, it can operate as a pseudo-ASF fighter (similar to how the ground-attack Phantoms on the UK's 4th Armoured can be used as multi-purpose aircraft). In my opinion, using only the I-HAWK and the AT jet seemed like a fun way to handle long-range AA for this division!

-Upvettable reserves + instructors might be too strong?

This division is a junkyard as is. It doesn't have the equipment to make it viable on its own, so I had to make the most of what it has. The conscripts in mobilization divisions were, and still are, tasked with instructing reserves after all!

-Why not more KM900?

I found it funny how much of a clown car this APC was in WGRD, transporting 15-man Marine squads. This wheeled APC was widely used in the rear, but it was more concentrated among Capital Defense Command units in Seoul.

-Is this all South Korea can offer?

Hell no! But I do feel I've covered most of what the army and air force could muster in the late 80s. There are still interesting formations that could definitely make it in if this game somehow expands to the Korean peninsula. Here are some units/formations that didn't leave my writing board :)

Can you guess what these might be?

-What's next?

The red Koreans, a.k.a. North Korea, are next! However, there are even fewer documents or records for this closed country. I feel like I'm pulling my hair out just looking at what equipment they probably used in the late 80s. I'll have to rely on North Korean defector quotes for some aspects. I expect this will take way more time than my BLUFOR write-ups.

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People made some good points about the special forces detachment in this division's write-up. I updated the write-up and that is reflected in this post

Thank you for showing interest as always!

South Korea in WARNO and 1st Infantry: writeup / visual

Capital Mechanized Division: writeup / visual

US 2nd Infantry Division: writeup

Happy Friday!

I plan to go through the Korean situation in WARNO's timeline in more detail to add a bit of reason to what's going to be added in this write-up. I'm sure history or military enthusiasts might feel skeptical, but I'd like to add a somewhat interesting addition to this American division. Let's go!

-US 2nd Infantry Division 'Indianhead' History

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With the outbreak of the Great War, the 2nd Division was organized on 26 October 1917 at Bourmont, France. Its 3rd Brigade was sent to support the French in halting the German advance toward Paris, and the division would earn a reputation through battles such as Belleau Wood and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive — the latter a decisive campaign in holding off the Germans entirely.

After the war, the 2nd Division returned home and went through various changes during the interwar period. During World War II, it landed in Normandy on D+1 and continuously pushed into Western Europe. It defended against the Axis during the Ardennes Offensive, then marched into Germany and later Czechoslovakia, ending the war near Pilsen.

Chinese soldiers overrunning a UN position during the Battle of Chongchon River

With the outbreak of the Korean War, the division was assigned to the 8th Army. It was sent directly to defend the Busan Pocket and was relieved only after the Incheon landings crumbled the North Korean forces. Like the previously mentioned Korean divisions, the 2nd Infantry also spearheaded the push north until China entered the war. When it was tasked with protecting the right flank of the 8th Army during the Battle of the Chongchon River, it suffered such heavy casualties that the division was deemed crippled.

After rearming, it was deployed again for the UN's offensive, fighting the battles of Bloody Ridge and Heartbreak Ridge and again suffering heavy casualties. After the war, it underwent even more reorganizations (other divisions were reflagged as the 2nd Infantry, with a lot of back-and-forth!). But officially, in July 1965, the 1st Cavalry Division's elements in Korea finally became the 2nd Infantry Division as we know it.

Panmunjom, Joint Security Area from South Korea's perspective (top) and North Korea's perspective (below)

The 2nd Infantry Division would watch over its sector of the DMZ as well as provide security to the Panmunjom area. Numerous American soldiers lost their lives while patrolling the DMZ throughout the Cold War, and two officers were axed to death during the Axe Murder Incident in 1976. The 2nd Infantry Division experienced all kinds of tension along the DMZ but continues to support its Korean allies to this day.

-Korea in WARNO's Timeline, Specified

With the history explained, let's go deep into what's happening in Korea during WARNO's timeline! As mentioned in the South Korean 1st Infantry write-up, after Gorbachev was overthrown in 1987, relations between North Korea and the Soviet Union became suspiciously close. Reports indicate the North Koreans are receiving new Soviet weapons and training.

By 1989, relations between South and North Korea could not get any worse. Firefights happen constantly along the border, and a high volume of North Korean espionage operations is causing chaos in the South Korean community, making the South Korean government worry that war is imminent. To calm its paranoid ally, the US plans the biggest Team Spirit exercise yet, in June. Over 250,000 personnel will participate in this exercise, honoring the team spirit both countries showed when the Korean War began in June 1950.

On the opposite side of the continent, war is looming in Europe as well. The Soviets, however, see the Team Spirit exercise as a chance to tie up a significant amount of US forces in Asia, forcing their enemy to fight on multiple fronts while they focus solely on Europe. Finally, they give North Korea the green light to pursue its ambition of unifying the peninsula.

US equipment prepared to load up for Team Spirit

The US 2nd Infantry Division and 8th Army, unaware of this, are coordinating with South Korean armed forces and participating US divisions on how to execute the upcoming, largest-ever exercise. With equipment already in the staging area for Team Spirit, and the first echelon of the participating US 25th Infantry Division's troops arriving on the peninsula, war breaks out simultaneously in Europe and East Asia.

-2nd Infantry Division in WARNO

How will the 2nd Infantry Division be featured in WARNO? New units are shown in bold italics. As always, the following is still a work in progress and subject to change.

LOG

An average category. The first response of the 2nd Infantry would be to fight in their operational areas to hold the line.

-Command units are the usual M577 CPC, M151 MUTT CP, and UH-60A CO.

-Supply units consist of the M1008 CUCV SUPPLY, M35 SUPPLY, and the heavy CH-47C SUPPLY. It will also get the FIELD SUPPLY POINT (FOB).

INF

A decent category. Expect an interesting mix of old and new units!

-Two of the division's three brigades were mechanized. These will be represented as the MECH. RIFLES (LAW) and (DRAGON) variants, along with their LDR variant. All will ride the M113A3, M113A3 DRAGON, or M35.

-The last brigade was notably an air-assault unit built for Korea's mountainous terrain. Expect the AERO-RIFLES, AERO-RIFLES (DRAGON), and their LDR variant, transportable by either the UH-60A BLACKHAWK or CH-47C CHINOOK.

KATUSA soldiers in the 90s

-One distinction of the 2nd Infantry from other US divisions is that it integrated conscript Korean soldiers via the Korean Augmentation to the United States Army (KATUSA) program. These "lucky" English-speaking Koreans won this chance by lottery. Although they were integrated within American squads in real life, we've chosen to represent them as an independent KATUSA squad — a 10-man-strong unit with 8x M16A2, 2x SAW, and the M72 LAW — plus a KATUSA LDR, a 4-man squad carrying 4x M16A2 and smoke grenades. These units will have unique voice lines, as they're Koreans speaking English!

JSA elements from the US and North Korea monitoring a meeting at Panmunjom

-The division also provided security in the Joint Security Area (a.k.a. Panmunjom). JSA units watched the North more closely than any others — quite literally within reaching distance. Despite being a Korean-American mixed formation, the JSA battalion was trained and commanded by the US during the Cold War. This unit will be represented as JSA, a 6-man unit with 5x M16A2, 1x SAW, and an AT4. As a security unit, it will naturally have the security trait and will ride the M998 HUMVEE. And some of the individuals will be wearing the unique JSA uniform!

-The just-arrived handful of 25th Infantry Division elements will be represented as one card each of LIGHT RIFLES (LAW) and LIGHT RIFLES (AT-4), riding the M1038 HUMVEE.

-Engineer support is the usual ENGINEERS, ENGINEERS (FLASH), and the LDR variant. These units will ride the M35, M113A3, and the new M113A3 DOZER.

-Support units are as follows:

-MP PATROL and MP PATROL (M67), riding the M151 or M1008 CUCV MP.

-M60 7.62mm and M2HB 12.7mm teams in the M151.

-TOW-2 teams riding the M151 or M113A3, and the air-assault brigades' AERO TOW-2 teams in the UH-60A BLACKHAWK.

SFD-K personnel (left) with ROK special forces

-But wait, there's more! The US had a small special forces detachment in Korea starting in 1960. This group, called Special Forces Detachment-Korea (SFD-K), was hidden within the standard 8th Army's TO&E for a long time. In real life, this group was a mere 9 men, advising Korean special forces and training other American special forces on Korean soil. But in WARNO, the dangerous situation in Korea led the US to commit a larger force in case of war. SFD-K will be represented as two cards of GREEN BERETS riding the M998 HUMVEE or UH-60A BLACKHAWK.

ART

A very good category. The 2nd Infantry had an unusually dense divisional artillery force at its disposal to neutralize and saturate key North Korean positions and tank columns. Expect everything from tube to rocket artillery!

Mortars come in the form of:

-Towed M29 81mm and M30 107mm, carried in the M151 jeep.

-Self-propelled M125 MORTAR and M106A2 MORTAR are also available.

Tube artillery includes:

M198 deployed in Korea in the mid 80s

-M198 155mm, towed by the M35.

-Self-propelled choices are the M109A3 (although featured in the Marine division, this is a non-Marine variant!) and the M110A2.

-The 2nd Infantry had a sizable MLRS force as organic artillery — a whopping 18 launchers! These will be represented as a few cards of M270 MLRS [CLU].

TANK

A rather truncated category, with slot costs rising rapidly. USFK was not exactly first in line for new equipment, since Europe was a higher priority, with Abrams tanks not reaching Korean soil until the mid-1990s. Despite this disadvantage, the 2nd Infantry will use every asset available to fight off the invaders!

-The main tank force consists of the M60A3 (TTS) and its CP variant.

- Engineer support comes from the M728 CEV.

-ATGM units come in the form of the M901A3 ITV, and courtesy of the 25th Infantry, it will also field a card of M1025 HUMVEE TOW.

REC

A good category. The 2nd Infantry conducted security in the JSA and also patrolled parts of the DMZ on its own. Expect new tactics fielded for Korea!

-The typical SCOUTS available in the M151, M151A2 M2HB, and M113A3 ACAV.

DMZ scouts in the late 80s

-The new DMZ SCOUTS: a 7-strong squad with 6x M16A2, a M21, an M72 LAW, and a STINGER POST. The 2nd ID tried many different initiatives to place MANPADS closer to combat units, one of which was deploying them along the DMZ units. This multi-purpose squad will patrol the DMZ riding the M998 HUMVEE or UH-60A BLACKHAWK. As units already deployed within the DMZ, they will be airborne-forward deployed.

-With North Korean underground tunnels posing a high threat, the 8th Army employed an unusual engineer unit. The Tunnel Neutralization Team (TNT) was an engineer detachment that searched for tunnels using seismic detectors. Although technically engineers, this unit functioned more like an intelligence unit — so despite its explosive name, TNT will be a 6-man squad with 6x M16A2 and the GSR trait, riding the M35 truck.

Vehicle options are as follows:

-The usual M150A1, OH-58C SCOUT, and MQM-105 AQUILA drone.

-Ground surveillance platoons under Military Intelligence battalions will be reflected as the M1025 HUMVEE G/VLLD.

-The 2nd ID's cavalry will be represented by the new M60A3 (TTS) ACAV recon tank, which shares the same stats as the standard tank variant but with better optics.

AA

A not-so-good category. Despite having the usual reliable options plus some new ones, AA assets are all busy dealing with the first wave of North Korean planes at the border, so make each unit count!

By the 80s, the survivability of STINGER teams became an issue within the US Army. Higher commands deemed soft-skinned vehicles to not provide protection, nor do they have the capacity to follow mechanized formations.

-The venerable STINGER teams, deploying in the M1008 CUCV or UH-60A BLACKHAWK. The 2nd ID also tried mounting its Stinger teams in M113 APCs to enhance their survivability — a concept known as "Stinger Under Armor" — represented here as MECH. STINGER teams riding the M113A3. Since this team has a dedicated APC at its disposal, it will carry 9 rounds instead of the standard 6.

-Other divisional AA assets consist of the M163A2 PIVADS and M48A1 CHAPARRAL.

-The 8th Army will support the Indianheads with a few I-HAWK missiles.

HEL

An average category. Similar to armor, new attack helicopters were not the top priority for US forces stationed in Asia, with the 2nd Infantry operating the Cobra until 1996 and today's featured 25th Infantry using it until 1999 — making it the last US operator of the Cobra fleet.

AH-1 during Team Spirit '87

-The already familiar AH-1F HOG and AH-1F TOWCOBRA will be the main rotary-wing force for USFK.

-However, given the high tensions on the peninsula, the division will quickly upgrade a few of its Cobras to AH-1F C-NITE standard, giving it a much more powerful punch against the horde of North Korean armor.

AIR

A good category. USFK's Seventh Air Force's main mission was to delay the North Korean advance in case of war, and their armament will reflect that key objective.

F-15, F-16, F-4, KF-5E, A-10 flying in formation during Team Spirit '85

Air superiority missions are handled by the long-range F-16C [AA] and short-range F-16C [AA2]. The F-15C EAGLE [AA2], which was planned to participate in the Team Spirit exercise briefly, will also be pushed to the Korean skies.

Ground strike roles are as follows:

-A-10A [RKT] and A-10A [AT], plus the new A-10A [HE/CLU], armed with the GAU-8/A Avenger, 3x MK 82 bombs, 3x MK 20 Rockeye II, and 2x AIM-9M, to suppress enemy armor effectively.

-F-16 variants include the usual F-16C [AT], F-16C [CLU], and F-16C [HE]. The Seventh Air Force was in the process of upgrading its F-16 fleet to Block 30 F-16C/D standard, with the 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron completing the conversion by April 1989. The new F-16D will be represented as the F-16D [HE], carrying the Vulcan cannon, 2x MK 84 bombs, and 2x AIM-9M.

Summary

The US 2nd Infantry Division "Indianhead" is a well-balanced division mixing old and new units in a new environment. This division is mechanized, but also has the ability to air assault. With the help of the handful of 25th Infantry, it also gains light infantry capabilities as well. Leaning too heavily on either light or heavy assets will each carry its own consequences. Finding the right ratio will be critical to win the battle!

Ending remarks

Despite my worries, the American forces in Korea turned out a bit more interesting than I expected! With this being an American division, I know criticisms will be sharper due to the player base's knowledge of US forces and individuals who actually served in the 2nd ID during the 80s. I am actually excited to hear what you guys think of my proposal for this division!

-SFD-K (source)

This link goes into depth about the special forces detachment in Korea. I thought of making a new SF unit dedicated to this unit, but the purpose of this detachment seemed similar to the Green Berets.

-Stinger Under Armor (source)

This is a very interesting report on the practicality of methods used to make the STINGER team mobile and survivable. The core idea is actually arming the loader of the M163 Vulcan with the Stinger (due to the truncated space, it would only carry 2 missiles and less of the Vulcan ammo). Despite being an interesting unit to put in WARNO, I was not sure if the engine can make a 1-man Stinger team.

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The report indicated some units tried using the M113 as the Stinger team's transport, even making a separate rack to hold 9 missiles. Hence why the MECH. STINGER has 9 rounds.

This report also goes into depth on various methods trialed by the 101st, 2nd ID, 24th ID, and 11th ACR. To summarize, the 2nd ID's solution was

• Stinger team in the DMZ: Integrating the team with the DMZ patrolling battalion.
• Airmobile Stinger: This method utilizes helicopters to transport the Stinger team, a way to enhance mobility in Korea's mountainous terrain.
• Stinger Firetraps: Pre-set Stinger posts as an air defense ambush.
• Stinger with special forces: Similar to the in-game British SAS, SF units having the Stinger was also an option.

Putting Stinger teams in the DMZ battalion and M113 was the most interesting option, hence why they were implemented as such.

-F-16D (source)

Although not a proper document or military record, this post goes into thorough detail of Air Force activity between 1985 and 1989.

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Sorry, the image quality was a dump on the previous version

A visual map of my Capital Mechanized Division and even a more simplfied version!

South Korea in WARNO and 1st Infantry: writeup / visual

Capital Mechanized Division: writeup

I'm not sure what the next writeup should be, the US 2nd ID or the last Korean div..

Hi,

I made a division concept about a week ago, and thankfully, people seemed to like it! I also got some good suggestions and ways to improve it. So, thank you all for showing interest. If nobody had given a damn, it would have been quite sad. South Korea would be a very interesting addition to WARNO even if we don't stretch too far with various prototypes like in WGRD.

If the 1st Infantry Division 'Jeonjin' was defensive, today's proposal is a division structured in an offensive style. Like the previous post, this is written in a Eugen devblog-style article. Let's go!

-A 'defense' division and an 'attack' division

South Korea's biggest threat in 1989 (and today) is primarily North Korea. If the North were to attack, front-line 'defense' divisions such as the previously introduced 1st Infantry Division would defend around the General Outpost (GOP) and DMZ. These units would delay the North Korean advance as much as possible while preserving their combat power for future use.

8th Infantry Division (another so-called 'attack' division) conducting air mobile operations in 1984

While the front-line divisions conduct delaying action, divisions slightly back from the front line would gear up and leave their barracks to head to the front. These 'attack' divisions conducted far more offensive exercises compared to regular front-line divisions (such as armored warfare and airmobile operations). Now, what kind of unit would prepare to counterattack during a Second Korean War, you ask? This important mission is given to the Sudo Gigyehwabobyeong Sadan (there is no way foreigners are going to read this properly), or Capital Mechanized Infantry Division 'Maengho.'

-Capital Mechanized Infantry Division 'Maengho' history

Sudo Gigyehwabobyeong Sadan emblem

This unit started as the 'Capital Defense Command' in 1949. After the capital fell into communist hands in July 1950, it went through a lot of reorganization. This is when the unit became the Sudo Sadan, or Capital Division. After the Incheon landings, it pushed north with other UN elements until it reached Chongjin, making it the northernmost UN unit of the entire war.

However, after China entered the war, this division was pushed back near the 38th parallel. It was then deployed to various battles and used to hunt down communist guerrillas for the remaining period of the war. When the ceasefire happened, this division was spread out throughout the Pocheon area.

A map showing upper Gyeonggi province with the 1st Infantry, Capital Mechanized Infantry Division, and a sneak peak of the two upcoming proposals!

Post-Korean War, this unit was an infantry division stationed in the Pocheon and Gapyeong area. It was later deployed to Vietnam to support its US allies, alongside other Army and Marine divisions. Showing impressive performance on the tropical battlefield (and thanks to its divisional insignia), it earned the nickname 'Tiger Division.'

What to expect for the Sudo Gigyehwabobyeong Sadan

After withdrawing from Vietnam, it was finally reorganized as the Capital Mechanized Infantry Division, bolstered with equipment passed down by the US. As one of two mechanized divisions in South Korea's arsenal during the Cold War, this division trained to attack in case another war broke out on the peninsula. Being such an important formation, this division was the first to receive armored equipment and was expected to receive help from other units to support a major counterattack. Expect field modifications for enhanced combat as well!

-Sudo Gigyehwabobyeong Sadan in WARNO

How will the Sudo Gigyehwabobyeong Sadan be featured in WARNO? New units are both bold and italic. As always, the following is still a work in progress and subject to change.

LOG

An expensive category. The Sudo Gigyehwabobyeong Sadan, or Su-Gi-Sa, maneuvers north with only mobile logistic assets at its disposal, meaning it will not feature a BOGEUPSO (FOB)!

Command units are the following:

-The ubiquitous K111 BONBU jeep and the tracked M577 BONBU APC.

-Supply units are the KM113A1 BOGEUP tracked supply and the K-511 BOGEUP medium truck. It will also feature the CH-47D BOGEUP Chinook supply helicopter as a heavy option.

INF

A good category. Expect a lot of Gigyehwabobyeong, or mechanized infantry, to support your push!

K200 APC during trials

-The backbone is the Gigyehwabobyeong, or GI-BO: an 8-man squad with 1x K1A submachine gun, 6x K2 rifles, 1x M60, and an M72 LAW. They will ride the unarmed K-511, the ROKA UH-1Y, or the KM113A1 .50 cal-armed APC. Since the Panzerfaust 3 started to be issued in the late 80s, this will be reflected in one card of GI-BO [PZF]: an 8-man unit with 7x K2, 1x M60, and the Panzerfaust 3. These will deploy in the unarmed K-511 or the domestic K200 .50 cal-armed APC. This APC was developed to replace the old KM113A1 and will be identical to the Belgian and Dutch AIFV.

-The command variant is the GI-BO BONBU, a 6-man squad with 6x K2 and an M72 LAW, riding the K-311, ROKA UH-1Y, or KM113A1.

-HWAGI-BAN is a fire support unit from the mechanized infantry battalion's weapons company: a 6-man team with 3x K2, 3x M60, and an M72 LAW. They will ride the K-511 or the K200 M40, a field-modified K200 sporting the M40 recoilless rifle and a .50 cal. Mechanized infantry divisions were seen fielding the M40 on K200 APCs in the future. Consider this unit a predecessor of that!

Support units include:

-The M60 HMG, deployed in K-111 jeeps.

-I**-TOW**, deployed in K-111 jeeps thanks to corps anti-tank support.

-The usual HEONBYEONG 4-man military police squads, armed with K2 rifles. They will ride the K-111 HEONBYEONG military police jeep to control the long armored column.

Crucial for armored formations, engineer support is as follows:

-POKPA GONGBYEONG is a 6-strong engineer squad specializing in explosives, with 6x K2, an M72 LAW, and satchel charges.

-JEONTU GONGBYEONG is an 8-man combat engineer squad with 7x K2, 1x M60, and an M202 FLASH launcher.

-The GONGBYEONG BONBU is a 10-strong command squad with 8x K2 and 2x M60.

Capital Mechanized Infantry Division unit fielding a double-mounted .50 cal during TEAM SPIRIT '85

All engineers will feature the shock trait and ride the K-711 heavy truck or the KM113A1 JIWON, an M113 modified to arm a double .50 cal mount!

TEAM SPIRIT '89

-The division will also get support from US 2nd Infantry Division units in Uijeongbu, adjacent to Pocheon. Although a ROK/US Combined Division concept didn't exist in the 80s, American units were expected to support Korean units, or vice versa, in case of war. This will be implemented as one AIR CAV. TROOPERS in UH-60A BLACKHAWK.

ART

An average category. As a mechanized division, this unit's artillery was among the first to receive SPGs, while towed artillery was expected to keep pace with lead formations via helicopter when necessary.

-Mortars consist of the KM29A1 81mm mortar carried by a K-311 truck or KM113A1. The self-propelled option is the M106 4.2" mortar carrier.

M101 being airlifted by a Chinook

-The sole towed artillery is the M101 105mm KOKSA-PO, towed by the K-511 truck or airlifted by the ROKA CH-47D.

K55 JAJU-PO during a live fire exercise in 1989

-Unlike the 1st Infantry, Su-Gi-Sa had the 8" JAJU-PO as organic artillery. But that's not all! South Korea was in the process of enhancing artillery mobility from the mid-80s onward. The fruit of this development was the K55 JAJU-PO, a 155mm SPG similar in stats to the M109A2. As the first domestic SPG, this piece was issued to important units such as the Su-Gi-Sa, since arming this division was a top priority.

TANK

A very good category. The Capital Mechanized Infantry Division was an armor-heavy division despite being a mechanized infantry division — almost heavy enough to be called an armored division. The difference was clear when compared to the rival 20th Mechanized Infantry Division, which had more mechanized infantry than tanks.

The K-1 '88 Tank' manouvering during a appointment ceremony in 1987

-The workhorse of the Su-Gi-Sa is the K-1 main battle tank. This tank began as an idea for a domestic design to replace the phased-out M48 Patton, starting in the mid-1970s. The US, already developing the M1 Abrams at the time, offered to help with the project, so its design was heavily influenced by America. With various research conducted in the early-to-mid 80s, South Korea finally adopted a domestic tank in 1987. This tank will be in the middle of the original M1 Abrams and M1IP stats-wise. As the first division to receive this tank, it will field numerous cards of the 'vanilla' and BONBU variants, both sporting the 105mm gun, a .50 cal MG, and 2x M60.

-Despite being first in line for the K-1 MBT, the Su-Gi-Sa didn't receive all of it — a few of its tank battalions had lower priority than other divisions or armored brigades. This will be reflected by the division fielding one card each of the M48A5K 'vanilla' and BONBU leader variant.

ATGM assets are available as follows:

-K-113 TOW I-TOW jeep, courtesy of higher corps anti-tank elements.

REC

A decent category. One of many differences between a regular infantry division and a mechanized division was that the latter had Gigap Susaek battalions (armored recon), similar to a West German Panzeraufklärungsbataillon. A Gigap Susaek battalion consisted of light recon (infantry) and heavy recon (vehicle), conducting various recon missions from scouting to Reconnaissance-In-Force (RIF). Since this battalion served as the whole division's eyes, it was first in line for new equipment, even within the division. All recon infantry will feature the shock and mountaineer traits, thanks to their hardened training.

-SUSAEK BAN is a light 4-man scout unit with 4x K1A submachine guns. They will ride the K-111 jeep or ROKA UH-1Y. There is also some of the larger GIGAP SUSAEK, an 8-strong unit armed with 7x K2, one K2 TRILUX (a K2 rifle fitted with the British L2A2 SUIT scope), and a Panzerfaust 3. They will ride either the unarmed K-511 or the K200 JEONGCHAL .50 cal-armed APC.

Vehicle recon units are as follows:

-K-111 JEONGCHAL jeep, armed with an M60.

Gigap Susaek battalion elements in front of their K-1 MBT in the late 80s

-The division will also have one card of the K-1 GEONGCHAL recon tank. The armored recon battalion of the Su-Gi-Sa was one of the first to receive the K-1 MBT — even before some tank battalions! Having the same stats as the version in the TANK tab, this unit reflects the heavy recon duties the battalion was capable of.

-Aerial recon is handled by the UH-1Y JEONGCHAL armed with 2 M60 machine guns. South Korea did not have a proper recon helicopter at this time, so the Huey was pressed into the recon role — not by attaching recon equipment... but simply by giving the crew binoculars.

AA

An expensive category. Since most Korean AA assets were towed, they had a hard time keeping pace with the advancing armored columns. But US forces will support this division's counterattack with their own assets — don't forget to thank good ol' Uncle Sam!

-The MANPADS option is the HYU-SAM JAVELIN, riding the K-111 jeep. South Korea purchased Javelin missiles in 1986 during the official visit of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, in an attempt to replace the unreliable REDEYE.

A KM113A1 with the VADS (left) during the Busan-Masan Uprising in 1979

-The anti-air gun is available as the towed KM167 VADS. But to improve mobility, the Su-Gi-Sa will field another modification: the KM113A1 VADS, which bolts a KM167 VADS onto a KM113A1.

-The USFK's 5th Air Defense Artillery, stationed near Uijeongbu, will allot a few M48A1 CHAPARRAL to cover the skies with greater mobility.

HEL

An average category. The Capital Mechanized Infantry Division will get support from both older and newly delivered helicopters.

An AH-1J during an exercise to hold off enemy mechanized units in 1982

-First up is the older AH-1J [RKT] variant, armed with the M197 20mm Gatling and two sets of 38x Hydra rockets.

-Alongside this, expect the AH-1S COBRA, armed with the M197 20mm Gatling, 38x Hydra rockets, and 8x I-TOW missiles, and the AH-1F COBRA, which replaces the I-TOW with the more powerful TOW-2.

AIR

Another average category. Due to the critical nature of the Su-Gi-Sa's mission, the ROKAF will commit some of its newest fighter jets, while the USFK fighter fleet provides limited support.

Ground attack roles are handled by:

-The KF-5E JEGONGHO [RKT] fighter, with twin 20mm guns and 38x FFAR rockets.

-The F-4E PEACE PHEASANT II [AT] variant, armed with the Vulcan, 2x AGM-65B Maverick missiles, and 2x AIM-7E missiles, plus the F-4E PEACE PHEASANT II [HE1], with the 20mm Vulcan, 2x AIM-7E missiles, and 6x MK 82 bombs.

ROKAF F-16C being armed with Maverick missiles

-ROKAF's newest toy, the F-16C BLOCK 32 [HE], armed with the Vulcan, 2x MK 83 bombs, and 2x AIM-9L, and the F-16C BLOCK 32 [AT], which replaces the iron bombs with 2x AGM-65B Maverick missiles.

Expect air cover from the following:

-F-16C BLOCK 32 [AA], armed with the Vulcan and 4x AIM-9L (not a shotgun variant, mind you!).

-F-4E PEACE PHEASANT II [AA], fielding the 20mm Vulcan, 4x AIM-7E missiles, and 4x AIM-9P missiles.

-USFK 8th Tactical Fighter Wing assets, represented as one card of F-16C [AA].

Summary

The Sudo Gigyehwabobyeong Sadan is a heavy division that relies on tanks and APCs with decent support from the US. However, it has a tight logistical and AA situation, so make every decision count for each attack!

Ending remarks

Like my previous post, I hope this was an interesting read! As an offensive division, this division had all the best South Korea had in the late 80s. I tried to gather all possible sources while writing this. Video references, any US documents related to this division, and a lot of human sources. Since the basic research was done when I started with the 1st Infantry, it was a bit easier. Now, some notes before ending!

-Why not more K200 APCs?

While the K-1 MBT was prioritized for the Capital Mechanized Infantry, the K200 APC was focused on the 20th Mechanized Infantry Division. Due to this, the 20th would have more K200s, but have fewer K-1 tanks and way more M48A5Ks.

-Giving binoculars to helicopter crew turns a helicopter into a make-shift recon?

I wanted to give a recon helicopter option in any way possible. South Korea invited the 'magician' Uri Geller in hopes of finding North Korean underground tunnels during the late 80s. Given how unreal reality was, I think giving binoculars to helicopter crews is not an 'unrealistic' option.

-KAFV 25 or 40/50?

An interesting unit in WGRD indeed! I loved them in WGRD so much. However, this project was done in the mid 90s with only 5-6 real prototypes. I know WARNO allows an M2W with units developed around the first Gulf War, but this short-lived project was after that war. But it could be an interesting unit only available to the GI-BO [PZF] if possible.

A unit worth mentioning is the K-1A1 tank armed with the 120mm smoothbore cannon instead of the 105mm. Development started as intelligence reports said North Koreans adopted the T-72 in the early 90s (which turned out not to be true in real life). With a history twist in WARNO, adding a 120mm cannon could have happened earlier, since my scenario for the Second Korean War mentions the Soviets supplying new weapons to North Korea. But I feel this is a decision Eugen should make. Leave your thoughts in the comments!

-USFK units

My initial proposal had more American units to reflect how close this division was to the forward-deployed US 2nd ID elements (ATGM vehicles, helicopters, etc.). But my ego to make a more 'Korean' division won. And besides, I have plans to propose 2nd ID; so it could be an overlap when this division is already interesting!

-ROKAF F-16Cs being able to fire the AIM-7 Sparrow

Some of the research and sources indicated that the Korean F-16Cs were one of the few foreign Fighting Falcons which can fire the Sparrow missile. But unfortunately, my confidence in Air Force units is lower than in ground units. So I decided not to feature them, since USFK elements already have long-range air-to-air missiles.

If you have other suggestions, or think something is weird, please leave a comment!

Hi all,

I played WARNO since early access and always enjoyed seeing WARNO memes and reading numerous country/division suggestion posts on Reddit. With new DLCs and expansions taking place in theatres outside Western Europe, I started to wonder: what if my country was represented in WARNO?

I've actually read some divisional concepts right here on Reddit by other people, but I thought my country could be better represented by someone who can search for more info and actually served in its military. So without further ado, let me introduce... South Korea!

ROKA (Republic of Korea Army)

If Eugen ever plans to release an East Asian DLC, South and North Korea would be essential nations. Of course, countries like Japan, China, and Taiwan are key elements in that sort of DLC as well. But for now, I mapped out a sizeable DLC by making it like the NORTHAG/SOUTHAG expansions; a 'Second Korean War' DLC featuring four South Korean/American BLUFOR divisions, and another four for the North Korean/Soviet REDFOR counterpart.

With the given timeline in WARNO, it's unfortunate I can't introduce some cool weapons since a genuine improvement of equipment started in the 90s. However, I will still try to march-to-war some units to add flavor while not stretching too far. Likewise, I'll try to weigh more on the 'fun' aspect instead of emphasizing realism in a fake war.

I tried to make it in a Eugen devblog-style article. It became longer than I expected, but if you're into military and military history, it could be worth the read. I also added a lot of pics for easier understanding and to make it less boring. Hope you enjoy it!

-South Korean Military history

Let's talk about the Daehanminguk Gukgun, or Republic of Korea Armed Forces, in the late 1980s. South Korea was led by military dictatorships during most of the Cold War. With the first coup d'état in 1961 that led to a prolonged dictatorship until 1979, a sudden assassination of the dictator caused another turmoil and coup. The second dictatorship would go on over most of the 80s and end in 1988. Despite long military dictatorships, Korea experienced rapid economic growth during this period. And of course, the Korean Armed Forces started modernizing its army thanks to the growing wealth. As a country that relied on conscripts, it maintained around 600,000 troops during the Cold War.

During the Cold War, South Korea's main focus was always on holding back its unfriendly brother in the north. The Korean War devastated the peninsula, and after the war, the South Korean forces were a poorly equipped army using US equipment that depended on the US 8th Army(USFK).

Start of modernization

But from the 1970s, in an attempt to rely less on the US, South Korea started to modernize and develop weapon systems of its own. Starting from rifles to tanks, South Korea started making weapons that fit their terrain and needs.

-South Korea in the WARNO timeline

Ever since Gorbachev was overthrown by hardline communists, South Korea has been on high alert. North Korean-Soviet relations suddenly became tighter than ever, and intelligence agencies report that the Soviets are sending instructors and supplying North Korea with new weapons. Tensions grow on the front line, with intense firefights at the GOP, and a surge of North Korean espionage operations.

With the Cold War gone hot in Europe, the shadow of war circles the Korean peninsula. When the Soviets attacked Fulda, North Korean troops mobilize on their front line in the far east and start a daring attack on the same day. And the first unit to receive gunfire on the Korean peninsula... is the South Korean Je-il Bobyeongsadan, or 1st Infantry Division 'Jeonjin'.

-South Korean 1st Infantry Division 'Jeonjin' history

Je-il Bobyeongsadan flag

After achieving independence from the Japanese Empire after World War 2, this division started as a border guard unit in 1946. It then became the 1st Brigade in 1947, and finally evolved into the 1st Infantry Division in 1949.

Stationed in Kaesung patrolling the 38th parallel, it carried out defensive operations in the Imjin River and Paju area during the early stages of the Korean War. It would then slowly retreat further down, executing delaying action on the North Korean invaders, until it reached the outskirts of Busan.

After successfully holding Busan, the 1st Infantry Division would participate in the Incheon landings and spearhead north. This division was the first Korean unit to capture Pyeongyang, and would continue going further north; this was when the Korean president gave its nickname 'Jeonjin,' which means forward.

Paju, Munsan area. Only 30km north of Seoul

However, after the Chinese intervention, the tide started to change, leaning more toward a defensive operation against the swarm of Chinese units. The division would be pushed way back to the Imjin River and Paju area, ending the war there. After the war, South Korea would fortify its border by building General Outposts (GOP) that stretch all across the Korean border, and Guard Posts (GP) within the DMZ.

General Outpost (GOP)

During the 1980s, the Je-il Bobyeongsadan would guard the GOP and GPs in the Paju and Munsan area, surveilling infiltrations and suspicious North Korean movements. As the '1st' implies, this division was treated with pride, and was the infantry division to receive new equipment first in line. Although lacking heavy armor or helicopter support, this division has a large pool of infantry and recon force, and can count on artillery support from both divisional and corps assets.

The Je-il Bobyeongsadan in WARNO

How will the Je-il Bobyeongsadan be featured in WARNO? New units are both bold and italic. As always, the following is still work in progress and subject to change.

LOG

An average category. The South Korean Je-il Bobyeongsadan can count on organic logistical units made up of domestic trucks. However, it lacks helicopter options due to higher demands elsewhere.

-The sole command unit in the Logistics tab is the venerable K111 BONBU jeep. South Korean divisions were far from motorized/mechanized in the late 1980s. Regular infantry divisions lacked armored assets, hence why there are no armored CVs.

K-511 truck

-Supply units include the K-511 BOGEUP medium truck and the K-711 BOGEUP heavy truck. As the division would be defending its operations area, it would also receive the BOGEUPSO (being a FOB).

INF

A very good category, since this is a very infantry-heavy division after all!

-The core of this tab is the BOBYEONG, which are 8-strong squads with 7x K2 rifles, 1x M60, and M72 LAW. The BOBYEONG [M67] replaces the M72 LAW with an M67 recoilless rifle, but has fewer cards than the regular BOBYEONG. Both will ride the unarmed K-511 or K-511 MG50 .50 armed trucks.

K-511 MG50 during TEAM SPIRIT '89

-The BOBYEONG BONBU is a 4-strong command squad with 2x K1A submachine guns, 2x K2, and smoke grenades. They will come in a K111 jeep.

Support units are the following:

-Weapon support team include: M60 HMG teams and MG50 .50 cal teams, they will all deploy in the K-311 light truck.

-One card of I-TOW deployed in a K111 jeep from the divisional anti-tank company

-Rear security is done by the HEONBYEONG 4-man military police squads armed with K2 rifles. They will perform security duties with the K-111 HEONBYEONG military police jeep.

-K-116, a jeep armed with the M40 recoilless rifle

Engineers play a core role in South Korean operations. They would demolish key infrastructure, fortify key choke points, and even be used as regular infantry if necessary (Engineers were armed and trained as line infantry as well). They will all have the shock trait and ride the heavy K-711 trucks:

-POKPA GONGBYEONG is an 8-strong engineer squad specializing in explosives with 8x K2, M72 LAW, and satchel charges.

Individuals fire the M202 wearing fire proof clothings (but obviously won't be wearing those during a war though)

-JEONTU GONGBYEONG is a 6-strong combat engineer squad with 5x K2, 1x M60, and a M202 Flash launcher. Korea was the only country outside of the US to use the M202!

-The GONGBYEONG BONBU is a beefy 10-strong command squad with 8x K2, 2x M60.

ART

A pretty good category. The key mission of South Korean artillery was to saturate the North Korean DMZ sector and neutralize pre-planned key targets. The division can count on its organic artillery as well as corps-level support from the nearby 1st Artillery Brigade to do this job.

-Mortars consist of the KM29A1 81mm mortar and the KM30 4.2" mortar. Both will be carried by the K-311.

-Divisional artillery will be the M101 105mm KOKSA-PO and M114 155mm KOKSA-PO; both will be towed by the K-511 truck. This was a time before South Korea started standardizing to self-propelled guns. So divisional assets were still limited to towed guns.

KH-179

-1st Artillery Brigade assets are represented as the KH-179 155mm KOKSA-PO. The KH-179 was a domestic towed artillery piece made to replace the aging M114, and will perform similarly to the in-game US M198 155mm. But there's more! As the brigade had one of the few M110 battalions in Korea, they will also bring their valuable 8" JAJU-PO (no improvements or anything, just a Korean designation for M110) as heavy hitters.

TANK

A not-so-good category. An infantry division's tank battalion was not really the best in both quality and quantity during the 80s. Due to this, slot costs will rise very quickly.

M48A5K during a parade in 1984. Although the tanks in the picture are from the 2nd Armored Brigade (which is also in the Paju area), by 1989 these tanks would have been supplied to regular infatnry divisions.

-The division can only count on the M48A5K 'vanilla' and BONBU leader variant. This tank would perform similarly to the West German M48A2GA2 or Spanish M48A5E2. But due to the side skirt, it will have 1 more side armor.

K-113 TOW jeep securing an anti-tank barricade wall in the outskirts of Seoul

-Divisional anti-tank company lends a hand with the K-113 TOW jeep armed with an I-TOW.

REC

Another very good category with a lot of cheap slots... and A LOT to talk about! The 1st Infantry Division had an intelligence company, recon battalion, and each of the three infantry regiments had its own recon company as well. But ironically, reconnaissance was heavily focused on foot, meaning a very limited vehicle recon option.

A generic GOP patrol (look how the barbed wire fences go endlessly far!)

-Infantry divisions that guard the GOP, such as the 1st Infantry, had one infantry regiment doing surveillance duty 24/7. As a sort of forward observation force for the entire division, it would guard and patrol the long mountainous border. This regiment will be represented as one card of GOP BOBYEONG. These are 8-strong squads, the same as the regular BOBYEONG in the INF tab but with the mountaineer trait and riding the K-511 truck to battle.

How a typical GP would look like. Some enemy GPs would be so close that if someone yells, someone from the enemy GP would yell back.

But there is someone closer to the enemy than the GOP; the units in the GP. The GOP regiments' recon company elements would guard these concrete fortresses within the DMZ with hardly any support from others.

A soldier from an unknown unit aiming down an M16A1 with the British L2A2 SUIT scope (or so-called Trilux in Korean service).

-The GP elements will be represented as the GP SUSAEK. A 6-man team with 4x K2, one K3 LMG (a Korean SAW), one M16A1 DMR, and one M18 recoilless rifle. Although the same conscripts, SUSAEK units were trained more harshly and thoroughly. As such, they will have the shock and mountaineer traits. They will ride the unarmed JEONGCHAL K-311 recon truck.

One of the missions of recon units was to escort anti-North spies back through the DMZ. These spies, vaguely known as HID (Headquarters of Intelligence Detachment), are classified individuals trained to speak North Korean lingo, use their equipment, and sabotage the enemy as much as possible.

HID agent fielding an AK-74

-Although a unit commanded by Intelligence Command, we decided to represent these spies caught in the firefight of a conventional war! HID is a 6-strong unit fielding 5x Type 88 (North Korean AK-74), 1x Type 73 (North Korean PK machine gun using a 30-round magazine), and satchel charges. As tough spies, they will have the shock, special forces, and false flag traits. Since they were units within North Korean territories, they will wear North Korean uniforms and be airborne-forward-deployed, riding the stolen TALCHWI GAZ-69.

Unlike the plentiful infantry option, vehicle recon options are quite dreadful:

JEONGCHAL K111 during a night exercise

-The sole option is the JEONGCHAL K111. A jeep armed with an M60 and searchlights.

-Aerial recon is provided by the US. As the USFK regularly scouted the DMZ area, a US OH-85C SCOUT will be represented as helicopter recon.

AA

An average category that has the necessities. South Korea was in the process of improving their AA assets from the late 1970s.

STINGER purchase requests started from the late 70s. Although there are no declassified documents mentioning the exact date the STINGER was put into service; by 1989, AA units most definetly had this in use.

-MANPADS are available as HYU-SAM STINGER Stinger Basic teams. They will deploy in the K-111 jeep.

-Towed anti-air guns are the KM167 VADS Vulcan cannon.

-Paju and Munsan, the area the division covers, was one of the most heavily defended corridors in the western front. This also applied to anti-air assets. The ROK Army Air Defense Artillery Command will lend a few I-HAWK at their disposal.

HEL

An expensive category with only two slots. Divisional helicopter assets were basically non-existent at this time, meaning the division has to count on the already busy corps-level air assets.

-The sole 'pure' attack helicopter is the AH-1S COBRA armed with the M197 20mm Gatling, 38x Hydra rockets, 8x I-TOW missiles.

-Another option to fill in the gap is the 500MD TOW DEFENDER. A 500MD helicopter sporting 4x I-TOW missiles.

AIR

An average category as the DAEHANMINGUK GONGGUN, or the Republic of Korea Air Force scrambles its jets to support the division. Expect already seen options with a bit of a tweak!

Air superiority missions are done by:

KF-5E JEGONGHO similar in stats with the Dutch NF-5A

-KF-5E JEGONGHO [AA] (Korean made F-5E) figther with twin 20mm guns and 2x AIM-9P missiles.

-South Korea used its F-4E fleet to its maximum capacity. Firstly, this will be reflected as the F-4E PEACE PHEASANT II [AA] fielding the 20mm Vulcan, 4x AIM-7E missiles, and 4x AIM-9P missiles as a sort of 'gun truck' variant.

Ground attack missions are handled by:

-KF-5E JEGONGHO [HE] with twin 20mm guns and 2x MK 82 bombs.

An F-4 with 'Defense Donation Aircraft' paint. 7.1 billion KRW donated by the South Korean people were used to by 5 Phantom jets. It would be cool to use this paint job for ground attack role F-4s.

-F-4E PEACE PHEASANT II [HE1] with the 20mm Vulcan, 2x AIM-9P missiles, 6x MK 82 bombs. And an [HE2] variant that replaces the MK 82 bombs with 4x MK 83 bombs.

-The F-4E PEACE PHEASANT II [AT] variant armed with the Vulcan, 2x AGM-65B Maverick missiles, and 4x AIM-9P missiles.

Summary

The South Korean Je-il Bobyeongsadan is a division with excellent forward deployment that can hold ground with plenty of infantry and artillery support.

Ending remarks

I hope this was an interesting read! Despite it being an army from about 40 years ago, South Korea does not have many, or any, declassified documents regarding the TO&E or equipment that units had. Despite this, I looked at all the information available (starting from defense reports by the US, video documentation of the Korean forces from the late 80s, etc.). Nevertheless, it was more difficult to write this up than I expected.

While I was writing this up, some concepts or weapons never made it to the list. Nevertheless, it is still something worth mentioning.

-Mountaineer trait for ALL infantry units

Since South Korea is covered in mountains (about 60%), exercises emphasize mountain warfare even to this day. Due to this, I thought of giving the mountaineer trait to every infantry unit, but eventually concluded that this would make the trait less special.

-Army reserve units

South Korea had about 3 to 4.5 million reserves in the 1980s. A lot of reserves were to be sent to the front line to bolster regular army units in case of war. However, with a sudden war like this, there is no way reserves would have made it to the front lines within 24 hours. And I already plan to make a mobilization division proposal anyway.

-USFK elements

There were tons of US 8th Army units near the frontline in the 80s (especially on the western front). There were so many that it wouldn't make sense not to feature them more often in this division. But I wanted to make this a more Korean division since future proposals include the US 2nd ID or Korean units to have heavier US support.

-March-to-war elements

• Would you believe it if all infantry riding trucks were march-to-war to begin with? Regular infantry divisions were barely motorized in the late 80s. Most infantry were expected to walk to their defensive positions if a war happened because divisions lacked vehicles to begin with.
• The Panzerfaust 3 was probably used in 1989 (like I said, no declassified documents to prove this, but the introduction date is the late 80s). However, such a new high-tech weapon would have been prioritized for more important units such as mechanized infantry divisions.
• The K-1 Main Battle Tank was introduced in 1987. Since Gorbachev was overthrown by hardline communists in the same year in WARNO's timeline, South Korea would have definitely boosted the production of this new tank. But still, as is with the PZF-3, these tanks would have been prioritized for mechanized divisions and armored brigades.
• Research for the K-9 Thunder SPG started in 1989. With WARNO's history twist, it could have started earlier. But even then, prototypes would have been far from the front line (Similar to the AS-90 in HDR London), making it very difficult for any front-line divisions to have them.

If you have any other suggestions, please leave a comment! I'd love to hear what other people think about South Korea and how you think it should be represented! Hopefully I'll come back soon with another South Korean unit proposal