All branches of the South Korean military will be replacing the camouflage patches (L) with the ones in the original colors starting on March 1. (image: Ministry of National Defense)
SEOUL, Feb. 19 (Korea Bizwire) — Commemorating the 100th year of the March 1st Independence Movement as well as the establishment of the provisional government of the Republic of Korea, military service members will be replacing their camouflage patches of the South Korean national flag with the original ones.
On Monday, the Republic of Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff (ROK JCS) ordered all service members to wear patches of the South Korean flag in its original colors.
“We will be using a flag patch in its original colors to bolster patriotism and raise morale among our service members,” said JCS.
“However, we will continue to use the camouflage patch during exercises, drills, and other operations.”
The decision comes after the Ministry of Defense instructed the ROK JCS to wear the original flag patch as frequently as possible.
All branches of the South Korean military will be replacing the camouflage patches with the ones in the original colors starting on March 1.
All service members began wearing patches of the national flag in 2015. The patches are 8 centimeters in width, and 5.3 centimeters in length.
Experts argue that the decision reflects the easing military tension between the two Koreas following series of summits with North Korea and the September 19 Military Agreement.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
