Military power of South Korea & Vietnam
South Korea vs Vietnam
Show map
South Korea is a country located in Eastern Asia with an area of 100,210 km2 (land boundries: 237 km and costline 2,413 km). The capital of South Korea is Seoul. The number of inhabitants is 51,709,098.
US-South Korea Mutual Defense Treaty is a cornerstone of South Korea’s security. The Treaty gave the US permission to station land, air, and sea forces in the territory of South Korea. The USA maintained approximately 28,000 military personnel in the country. South Korea has been engaged with NATO through dialogue and security cooperation since 2005 and is considered by NATO to be a global partner. The South Korean military is equipped with a mix of domestically-produced and imported weapons systems. The top foreign weapons supplier is the United States and some domestically-produced systems are built under US license.
More about South Korea militaryVietnam is a country located in Southeastern Asia with an area of 332,698 km2 (land boundries: 4,616 km and costline 3,444 km (excludes islands)). The capital of Vietnam is Hanoi. The number of inhabitants is 96,208,984.
The PAVN is armed largely with weapons and equipment from Russia and the former Soviet Union. Russia has remained the main supplier of newer PAVN military equipment, although in recent years Vietnam has purchased arms from more than a dozen other countries. Vietnam has a limited defense industry
More about Vietnam militaryIf you want to check the comparison in terms of economic ratios check out CompareEconomy.com
Military expenditures
 KR |  VN | |
|---|---|---|
| Military budget: | 50.2 billion $ | 6.2 billion $ |
| Percent of GDP: | 2.8% | 2.3% |
Manpower
| KR | VN | |
|---|---|---|
| Active personnel: | 555,000 | 482,000 |
| Reserve personnel: | 2,750,000 | 3,000,000 |
| Available for military: | 13,185,794 | 30,000,000 |
Land Forces
| KR | VN | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanks: | 2,606 | 1,829 | |
| Armoured fighting vehicles: | 4,380 | 1,820 | |
| Total artillery: | 7,468 | 2,000 | |
| Self-propelled artillery: | 3,040 | 180 | |
| Rocket artillery: | 574 | 450 |
Air Forces
| KR | VN | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total aircraft: | 1,585 | 271 | |
| Fighter aircraft: | 156 | 11 | |
| Multirole aircraft: | 371 | 35 | |
| Attack aircraft: | 0 | 34 | |
| Helicopters: | 757 | 99 | |
| UCAV (combat drone): | 0 | 0 |
Navy
| KR | VN | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total naval: | 195 | 96 | |
| Aircraftcarriers: | 2 | 0 | |
| Destroyers: | 12 | 0 | |
| Frigates: | 18 | 9 | |
| Corvettes: | 11 | 14 | |
| Submarines: | 22 | 6 |
☢ Nuclear weapons
South Korea
Does not have nuclear weapons.
Vietnam
Does not have nuclear weapons.
Military service
South Korea
20-30 years of age for compulsory military service, with middle school education required; minimum conscript service obligation - 21 months (Army, Marines), 23 months (Navy), 24 months (Air Force); 18-26 years of age for voluntary military service; women, in service since 1950, admitted to 7 service branches, including infantry, but excluded from artillery, armor, anti-air, and chaplaincy corps; HIV-positive individuals are exempt from military service.
Vietnam
18-25 years of age for male compulsory and voluntary military service; females may volunteer for active duty military service; conscription typically takes place twice annually and service obligation is 18 months (Army, Air Defense), 2 years (Navy and Air Force); 18-45 years of age (male) or 18-40 years of age (female) for Militia Force or Self Defense Force service; males may enroll in military schools at age 17.