I Corps (South Korea) was created July 24, 1950, just before the

Battle of Pusan Perimeter The Battle of the Pusan Perimeter ( ko, 부산 교두보 전투) was a large-scale battle between United Nations Command (UN) and North Korean forces lasting from August 4 to September 18, 1950. It was one of the first major engagements of the ...

. I Corps consisted of the 8th Infantry Division and the

Capital Division The Capital Mechanized Infantry Division ( ko, 수도기계화보병사단, hanja: 首都機械化步兵師團), also known as Fierce Tiger Division ( ko, 맹호부대, hanja: 猛虎部隊), is currently one of the six mechanized infantry divisio ...

. During the battle of the Pusan Perimeter (July–September, 1950), its headquarters was at Sangju. Currently, I Corps is the largest corps in the

ROK Army The Republic of Korea Army (ROKA; ko, 대한민국 육군; Hanja: 大韓民國陸軍; RR: ''Daehanminguk Yuk-gun''), also known as the ROK Army or South Korean Army, is the army of South Korea, responsible for ground-based warfare. It is the l ...

. I Corps is organized with three infantry divisions, one mechanized infantry division, and several separate brigades.

Korean War

Wonsan (1950)

Under the direction of U.S. Army General Walker, the ROK I Corps participated in the crossing of the 38th parallel on October 1, 1950. They rushed north to the North Korean port of Wonsan on October 10, 1950. Leaving parts of their force in Wonsan, the I Corps also went west. The U.S. Army X Corps under the command of General MacArthur had planned a second amphibious landing at Wonsan but after the ROK I Corps victory there, no assault was needed. The X Corps walked ashore. U.S General Almond then added the ROK I Corps to his command.

Clearing North Korea (1950)

After adding the ROK I corps to his command, General Almond used them to clear northeastern North Korea. Columns of troops were sent up over the mountains to clear and maintain the coast towards the Yalu River and Changjin Reservoir.

Fighting the Chinese

In November 1950, the I Corps fought at Sudong against the Chinese. Along with the help of the United States Marine Corps, they were able to defeat the Chinese and cause at least 662 deaths.

Twenty-first century

The corps now includes the 1st Infantry Division (South Korea) and the

30th Armored Brigade (South Korea) The 30th Armored Brigade ( ko, 제30기갑여단) is a military formation of the Republic of Korea Army. The brigade is subordinated to the I Corps I Corps, 1st Corps, or First Corps may refer to: France * 1st Army Corps (France) * I Cavalry ...

, the former 30th Division.

References

Corps0001 Corps0001SK Military units and formations established in 1950

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed by the Yellow Sea, while its eas ...

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