A new fleece sweater, combining practicality with style, has emerged as the most popular military-issued item among soldiers. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — A new fleece sweater, combining practicality with style, has emerged as the most popular military-issued item among soldiers just one year after its introduction to South Korean troops.
According to a survey conducted by the Korea Defense Daily from January 17 to 31, polling 535 soldiers about their favorite military-issued items, the fleece sweater claimed the top spot with 11.2% of respondents choosing it as their preferred item.
Soldiers praised the garment for being both comfortable and warm. The sweater, which features thermal insulation and lightweight construction, has gained widespread popularity among troops, particularly due to its design that complements the military uniform.
“It’s surprisingly warm, and compared to other outerwear, the design is more sophisticated and comfortable for casual wear,” said a private from the Air Force 1st Missile Defense Brigade.
The fleece sweater is an improved version of the knit sweater previously issued only to military officers. Since January last year, its distribution has been expanded to include enlisted personnel. A notable feature is its Velcro attachments for the Korean flag, rank insignia, and name tags, allowing it to be worn over combat uniforms.
The survey revealed that the second most popular item was the cold weather inner jacket, commonly known as “kkal-kkal-i” among soldiers, receiving 10.3% of votes. Slippers ranked third at 8.8%, earning high marks from soldiers for comfort, design, and durability, particularly for use in barracks after duty hours.
Digital-pattern short-sleeve running shirts placed fourth with 7.9%, followed by padded winter jackets (7.5%), thermal underwear (5.2%), standard gloves (4.3%), ear covers (3.9%), combat boots (3.6%), and outer cold-weather jackets (3%).
Meanwhile, when asked about items they wish would be issued, soldiers mentioned additional cold-weather gear such as neck warmers, winter face masks, and insole heat packs, along with futsal shoes, laundry supplies (dryer sheets), and grooming tools like nose and eyebrow trimmers.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
