22nd Infantry Division (South Korea) explained

Unit Name:22nd Infantry Division
Dates:21 April 1953 - present
Type:Infantry
Size:Division
Command Structure:III Corps
Garrison:Goseong County, Gangwon Province
Nickname:"Yulgok"
Current Commander:Maj. Gen. Yoon Bong-hee

The 22nd Infantry Division (Korean: 제22보병사단) is a military formation of the ROKA. The 22nd division is subordinated to the III Corps and is headquartered in Goseong County, Gangwon Province. It is a frontline division that protects the GOP and GP of Goseong County and Gangwon Province's coastline.[1]

History

The division was established along with the 25th Infantry Division in Yangyang County, Gangwon on 21 April 1953, at the end of the Korean War.[2] Shortly after the war, on 24 December 1958, it was disbanded. On 1 August 1975, it was re-established as the 88th Infantry Brigade in Goseong County, Gangwon to strengthen the Gangwon's borderline. Seven years later, the unit changed to its original name "22nd Infantry Division".

The 22nd Infantry Division is in charge of 97 kilometers of border line, including 28 kilometers inland and 69 kilometers of shoreline. It is the ROKA's only unit in charge of both the Demilitarized Zone and coastal security. The unit also responsible for immigration-related duties at Geumgang Mountain, which has many hiking paths near the border. 22nd division is regarded by its soldiers as the "grave of general's stars" since numerous divisional commanders have been reprimanded as a result of the extensive areas of responsibility and the heavy workload of soldiers that have resulted in incidents along the border.[3]

Organization

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 22nd Infantry Division. www.mma.go.kr (Republic of Korea Army).
  2. Web site: 사단창설기념비 [육군제22보병사단]]. Yangyang County Cultural Center. 2015-04-27.
  3. Web site: 'Grave of the Stars' 22nd Division, will it be okay if it is moved to the 3rd Corps?. Ahn A-ram. The Korea Times. 2023-08-17.
  4. Web site: 2019 부처 간 협력 문화예술교육 지원사업(군부대) 운영단체-교육시설 목록. Republic of Korea Army (ROKA). 2023-06-21.
  5. Web site: 22사단 귀순 북한군, 우리 군 임무교대 알고 있었나?. NewDaily. 2012-10-12.
  6. Web site: 해안경계작전 중 익수자 구한 22사단 장병들. Gangwondomin Ilbo. 2021-07-01.
  7. Web site: 최전방 수호하는 22사 율곡왕포대대, K55A1 자주포부대로 개편. www.econovill.com. 2018-05-09.