Military Stats: compare key data on South Korea & Taiwan

Definitions

Air force > Combat aircraft: Number of fighter aircrafts (fixed wing aircrafts with combat capability).
Army > Main battle tanks: Number of main battle tanks.
Budget: Annual defense budget in billion USD.
Expenditures > Percent of GDP: Current military expenditures as an estimated percent of gross domestic product (GDP).
Global Peace Index: The Global Peace Index is comprised of 22 indicators in the three categories ongoing domestic or international conflicts; societal safety; and security and militarization. A low index value indicates a peaceful and safe country.
Military branches: This entry lists the service branches subordinate to defense ministries or the equivalent (typically ground, naval, air, and marine forces).
Military expenditures: This entry gives spending on defense programs for the most recent year available as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP); the GDP is calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). For countries with no military forces, this figure can include expenditures on public security and police.
Military service age and obligation: This entry gives the required ages for voluntary or conscript military service and the length of service obligation.
Navy > Aircraft carriers: Number of aircraft carriers.
Navy > Frigates: Number of frigates.
Navy > Submarines: Number of patrol boats (includes minesweepers).
Service age and obligation: This entry gives the required ages for voluntary or conscript military service and the length of sevice obligation.
WMD > Missile: A description of the nation's situation with regards to the possession and manufacture of missile weapons of mass destruction
WMD > Nuclear: A description of the nation's situation with regards to the possession and manufacture of nuclear weapons
Navy > Destroyers: Number of destroyers.
Branches: The names of the ground, naval, air, marine, and other defense or security forces
Manpower reaching military age annually > Males: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
Expenditures > Dollar figure: Current military expenditures in US dollars; the figure is calculated by multiplying the estimated defense spending in percentage terms by the gross domestic product (GDP) calculated on an exchange rate basis not purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Dollar figures for military expenditures should be treated with caution because of different price patterns and accounting methods among nations, as well as wide variations in the strength of their currencies
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males: The number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults.
WMD > Biological: A description of the nation's situation with regards to the possession and manufacture of biological weapons of mass destruction
Military expenditures > Percent of GDP: This entry gives spending on defense programs for the most recent year available as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP); the GDP is calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). For countries with no military forces, this figure can include expenditures on public security and police.
Expenditures > Dollar figure > Per $ GDP: Current military expenditures in US dollars; the figure is calculated by multiplying the estimated defense spending in percentage terms by the gross domestic product (GDP) calculated on an exchange rate basis not purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Dollar figures for military expenditures should be treated with caution because of different price patterns and accounting methods among nations, as well as wide variations in the strength of their currencies Per $ GDP figures expressed per 1,000 $ gross domestic product
Terrorism > 2002 Bali bombing deaths: Amount of citizens from each country who were killed in the 2002 Bali bombings. In all, 202 people were killed.
WMD > Overview: An overview of the nation's situation with regards to the possession and manufacture of weapons of mass destruction
WMD > Chemical: A description of the nation's situation with regards to the possession and manufacture of chemical weapons of mass destruction
Manpower reaching military age annually > Males per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
Expenditures > Dollar figure > Per capita: Current military expenditures in US dollars; the figure is calculated by multiplying the estimated defense spending in percentage terms by the gross domestic product (GDP) calculated on an exchange rate basis not purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Dollar figures for military expenditures should be treated with caution because of different price patterns and accounting methods among nations, as well as wide variations in the strength of their currencies Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
Manpower > Military age: The minimum age at which an individual may volunteer for military service or be subject to conscription.
Manpower reaching military service age annually > Males age 18-49: This entry gives the number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults.
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49: The total numbers of males aged 15-49. This statistic assumes that every individual is fit to serve.
US military > Exports: U.S. Military Exports, for the year 1998 (in thousands of US dollars)
Manpower reaching military age annually > Females per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
Manpower reaching military age annually > Females: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching military age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.
Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49: The number of males aged 15-49 fit for military service. This is a more refined measure of potential military manpower availability which tries to correct for the health situation in the country and reduces the maximum potential number to a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve.
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females > Per capita: Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 > Per capita: The total numbers of males aged 15-49. This statistic assumes that every individual is fit to serve. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males > Per capita: The number of draft-age males and females entering the military manpower pool in any given year and is a measure of the availability of draft-age young adults. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males per thousand people: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49 > Per capita: The number of males aged 15-49 fit for military service. This is a more refined measure of potential military manpower availability which tries to correct for the health situation in the country and reduces the maximum potential number to a more realistic estimate of the actual number fit to serve. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females: This entry is derived from Military > Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually, which gives the number of males and females entering the military manpower pool (i.e., reaching age 16) in any given year and is a measure of the availability of military-age young adults.

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STAT	South Korea	Taiwan
Air force > Combat aircraft	458 Ranked 1st. 27% more than Taiwan	360 Ranked 5th.
Army > Main battle tanks	2,429 Ranked 1st. 26% more than Taiwan	1,926 Ranked 4th.
Budget	41.1 US$ BN Ranked 1st. 2 times more than Taiwan	19.2 US$ BN Ranked 6th.
Expenditures > Percent of GDP	2.7% Ranked 34th. 23% more than Taiwan	2.2% Ranked 44th.
Global Peace Index	1.82 Ranked 7th. 18% more than Taiwan	1.54 Ranked 137th.
Manpower fit for military service > Males age 16-49	None	None
Military branches	Republic of Korea Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force	Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force, Coast Guard Administration, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined Service Forces Command, Armed Forces Police Command
Military expenditures	2.7% of GDP Ranked 10th. 23% more than Taiwan	2.2% of GDP Ranked 25th.
Military service age and obligation	20-30 years of age for compulsory military service, with middle school education required; 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	18-35 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; service obligation is 2 years; women may enlist; women in Air Force service are restricted to noncombat roles; reserve obligation to age 30 (Army); the Ministry of Defense is in the process of implementing a voluntary enlistment system over the period 2010-2015, although nonvolunteers will still be required to perform alternative service or go through 4 months of military training
Navy > Aircraft carriers	0.0 Ranked 1st.	0.0 Ranked 42nd.
Navy > Frigates	9 Ranked 1st.	21 Ranked 3rd. 2 times more than South Korea
Navy > Submarines	18 Ranked 1st. 5 times more than Taiwan	4 Ranked 13th.
Service age and obligation	20-30 years of age for compulsory military service, with middle school education required; conscript service obligation - 24-28 months, depending on the military branch involved (to be reduced to 18 months beginning 2016); 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; some 4,000 women serve as commissioned and noncommissioned officers, approx. 2.3% of all officers	19-35 years of age for male compulsory military service; service obligation 14 months (reducing to 1 year in 2009) year; women may enlist; women in Air Force service are restricted to noncombat roles; reserve obligation to age 30 (Army); the Ministry of Defense has announced plans to implement an incremental voluntary enlistment system beginning 2010, with 10% fewer conscripts each year thereafter, although nonvolunteers will still be required to perform alternative service or go through 3-4 months of military training
WMD > Missile	In December 1971, South Korean President Park Chung Hee issued a directive to reverse-engineer the US Nike Hercules air defense missile, a system that can also be used in a surface-to-surface role. Following several failures, South Korea's first successful test of its own version, known as "Paekkom," was conducted in September 1978. In 1979, South Korea entered into a bilateral agreement with the United States that limited South Korean ballistic missiles to a range of 180km with a 500kg payload. The Paekkom program was slashed in December 1982, but was restored in late 1983; an improved version of the Paekkom, called the "Hyonmu," was subsequently developed. South Korea joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in March 2001; membership in the organization supersedes the missile-range agreement concluded earlier with Washington. In January 2002, South Korea announced procurement of the 300km-range Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) from the United States; South Korea will buy 110 ATACMS by 2004. Seoul is also developing a space launch vehicle with a plan to place a small satellite into low-earth orbit in 2005.	Taiwan's short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) program is based at the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology, which has developed a range of missiles including the Hsiung Feng series of anti-ship missiles, the Tien Chien series of air-to-air missiles, and the Tien Kung series of surface-to-air missiles. These systems have provided Taiwanese scientists with experience and a technological base in areas such as composite materials and guidance and fire control systems, which are essential for development of longer range surface-to-surface missiles. Taiwan has two SRBM programs. The liquid-fueled, single-stage Ching Feng has a range of 130 km with a 270 kg payload. Initially deployed in the early 1980s, it is unclear how many Ching Feng missiles were built and whether they are still operational. The Tien Chi, first test-fired in 1997, is a solid-fueled, two-stage missile with a 300 km range that can reach China's southeastern coast. The Tien Chi incorporates global positioning system technology and has an estimated payload of 100-500 kg. One report claims that as many as 50 Tien Chi missiles have been deployed on Tungyin Island and at an unidentified second location. Development of the Tien Ma, a ballistic missile with a range of 950 km, was reportedly discontinued in the early 1980s due to U.S. pressure.
WMD > Nuclear	South Korea first became interested in nuclear technology in the 1950s but did not begin construction of its first power reactor until 1970. Changes in the international security environment influenced South Korea's decision to begin a nuclear weapons program in the early 1970s. Under significant pressure from the United States, Seoul abandoned the program and signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in April 1975 before producing any fissile material. In November 1991, President Roh Tae Woo declared that South Korea would not "manufacture, possess, store, deploy, or use nuclear weapons." Two months later, North and South Korea signed the Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of The Korean Peninsula. However, both sides have failed to implement its provision for a bilateral inspection regime. South Korea is an executive board member of the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) and is providing most of the financial support for the construction of two light water nuclear reactors in North Korea under the Agreed Framework. Seoul has 18 nuclear power reactors in use and two more under construction.	Taiwan's first nuclear reactor was built at National Tsinghua University in 1956, and its first nuclear power plant was opened in 1965. Taiwan now possesses six nuclear units housed in three nuclear power plants with a total capacity of 5,144 megawatts. Although plagued by domestic opposition and delays, a fourth nuclear power plant is scheduled to begin operation in 2006. Taiwan's nuclear weapons program was established under the direction of the Institute of Nuclear Energy Research (INER) and the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology following the People's Republic of China's first nuclear test in October 1964. The "Hsin Chu" program involved procurement and operation of a heavy water reactor, a heavy water production plant, a reprocessing research laboratory, and a plutonium separation plant. U.S. pressure caused Taiwan to end its nuclear weapons program in 1988 after International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections discovered missing fuel rods and the former deputy director of INER defected to the United States with detailed information about Taiwan's program. Taiwan probably possesses the technological expertise necessary to develop nuclear weapons, but U.S. pressure and the possibility of a pre-emptive strike by China have prevented a resumption of the nuclear weapons program.
Navy > Destroyers	12 Ranked 1st. 3 times more than Taiwan	4 Ranked 2nd.
Branches	Republic of Korea Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force	Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force, Coast Guard Administration, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined Service Forces Command, Armed Forces Police Command
Manpower reaching military age annually > Males	365,760 Ranked 32nd. 2 times more than Taiwan	166,190 Ranked 60th.
Expenditures > Dollar figure	$14.52 billion Ranked 7th. 92% more than Taiwan	$7.57 billion Ranked 16th.
Weapon holdings	10.3 million Ranked 8th. 93% more than Taiwan	5.34 million Ranked 18th.
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males	371,108 Ranked 32nd. 2 times more than Taiwan	164,883 Ranked 59th.
Manpower available for military service > Males age 16-49	None	None
WMD > Biological	While South Korea possesses a well-developed pharmaceutical and biotech infrastructure, there is no evidence that Seoul has an offensive biological weapon (BW) program. Citing a biological threat from North Korea, South Korea conducts defensive BW research and development, including the development of vaccines against anthrax and smallpox. South Korea ratified the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) in June 1987 and joined the Australia Group in October 1995.	Taiwan has been accused of making efforts to acquire a biological weapons (BW) capability. A report from the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service claimed that Taiwan has developed three dozen types of bacteria, apparently for weaponization purposes. This report, of questionable reliability, was vigorously denied by the Ministry of National Defense (MND). Taiwan signed the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC) in 1972, but its role in this treaty is not officially recognized. Taiwan has not been permitted to join the Australia Group.
Expenditures	2.7% of GDP Ranked 30th. 23% more than Taiwan	2.2% of GDP Ranked 40th.
Military expenditures > Percent of GDP	2.7% of GDP Ranked 23th. 23% more than Taiwan	2.2% of GDP Ranked 3rd.
Expenditures > Dollar figure > Per $ GDP	$23.88 per 1,000 $ of GDP Ranked 33th. 67% more than Taiwan	$14.33 per 1,000 $ of GDP Ranked 66th.
Terrorism > 2002 Bali bombing deaths	2 Ranked 12th. Twice as much as Taiwan	1 Ranked 20th.
WMD > Overview	South Korea has maintained a bilateral security alliance with the United States since the Korean War (1950-1953). Nevertheless, South Korea has an active ballistic missile program and acknowledges the possession of chemical weapons (CW). Seoul abandoned its nuclear weapons program in the 1970s but has the technical capacity to produce nuclear, as well as biological, weapons. South Korea is a signatory to several nonproliferation treaties and has adopted a policy of a "nuclear-free Korean peninsula."	Taiwan does not possess nuclear weapons, but began a covert nuclear weapons program in 1964 that ended in 1988 as a result of U.S. pressure. Taiwan signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1968 and has implemented the International Atomic Energy Agencyâ€™s (IAEA) "Program 93+2" safeguards. Despite persistent suspicions of offensive and defensive chemical and biological weapons (CBW) programs, there is no conclusive evidence that Taiwan has developed or deployed chemical or biological weapons. Taiwan is currently developing the Tien Chi, a short-range ballistic missile system that can reach the coast of China.
WMD > Chemical	After ratifying the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in April 1997, South Korea acknowledged possessing chemical weapons (CW) and one CW production facility. Although few details are publicly known, South Korea may store several hundreds of tons of CW munitions, including nerve agents. Pursuant to its CWC obligations, the South Korean military currently is devising methods to destroy CW munitions at a disposal site in Yongdong-kun, North Châ€™ungchâ€™ong Province.	In 1989, the U.S. Congress was informed that Taiwan could have acquired an offensive chemical weapons (CW) capability. While acknowledging production of small quantities of CW agents for defense research purposes, Taiwanese authorities have consistently denied any offensive CW capabilities. Still, rumors persist that Taiwan has stockpiled sarin in two locations: Tsishan (Kaohsiung) and in Kuanhsi, Hsinchu County. Chemical defense research and development is conducted at the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology. Because of Taiwan's non-state status, it cannot join the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) nor the Australia Group.
Manpower fit for military service > Females age 16-49	None	4951088
Employment in arms > Production	50,000 Ranked 12th. 43% more than Taiwan	35,000 Ranked 19th.
Manpower reaching military age annually > Males per thousand people	7.31 Ranked 153th. 2% more than Taiwan	7.15 Ranked 156th.
Expenditures > Dollar figure > Per capita	$303.50 per capita Ranked 21st.	$335.09 per capita Ranked 17th. 10% more than South Korea
Manpower > Availability > Males	13.69 million Ranked 24th. 2 times more than Taiwan	6.28 million Ranked 47th.
Manpower > Military age	18 years of age	19 years of age
Manpower reaching military service age annually > Males age 18-49	344,943 Ranked 26th. 98% more than Taiwan	174,173 Ranked 49th.
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males	365,760 Ranked 32nd. 2 times more than Taiwan	166,190 Ranked 60th.
Manpower available for military service > Females age 16-49	None	None
Manpower > Fit for military service > Males	11.28 million Ranked 22nd. 2 times more than Taiwan	5.11 million Ranked 46th.
Manpower > Availability > Females	13.03 million Ranked 23th. 2 times more than Taiwan	6.1 million Ranked 45th.
Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49	14.25 million Ranked 23th. 2 times more than Taiwan	6.58 million Ranked 43th.
US military > Exports	$1.02 million thousand Ranked 4th.	$1.66 million thousand Ranked 2nd. 64% more than South Korea
Manpower reaching military age annually > Females per thousand people	6.5 Ranked 163th.	6.75 Ranked 157th. 4% more than South Korea
Manpower reaching military age annually > Females	321,225 Ranked 35th. 2 times more than Taiwan	155,306 Ranked 62nd.
Manpower > Fit for military service > Females	10.68 million Ranked 20th. 2 times more than Taiwan	5.04 million Ranked 42nd.
Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49	8.99 million Ranked 22nd. 79% more than Taiwan	5.02 million Ranked 37th.
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females > Per capita	6.73 per 1,000 people Ranked 170th. 1% more than Taiwan	6.63 per 1,000 people Ranked 174th.
Manpower > Availability > Males age 15-49 > Per capita	0.296 per capita Ranked 17th. 3% more than Taiwan	0.288 per capita Ranked 25th.
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Males > Per capita	7.67 per 1,000 people Ranked 158th. 7% more than Taiwan	7.19 per 1,000 people Ranked 166th.
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females per thousand people	6.5 Ranked 162nd.	6.75 Ranked 156th. 4% more than South Korea
Manpower > Reaching military age annually > Females	325,408 Ranked 34th. 2 times more than Taiwan	152,085 Ranked 60th.
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Males per thousand people	7.47 Ranked 148th. 5% more than Taiwan	7.13 Ranked 153th.
Manpower > Fit for military service > Males age 15-49 > Per capita	0.186 per capita Ranked 72nd.	0.219 per capita Ranked 15th. 18% more than South Korea
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Females	321,225 Ranked 35th. 2 times more than Taiwan	155,306 Ranked 62nd.
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Female	321225	155306
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually > Male	365760	166190

SOURCES: Wikipedia: List of countries by level of military equipment (List); All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008; http://www.visionofhumanity.org/#/page/indexes/global-peace-index, Global Rankings. Vision of Humanity.; CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 28 March 2011; CIA World Factbooks 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013; The Nuclear Threat Initiative; Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC); Wikipedia: 2002 Bali bombings (Fatalities by country) (Australian Department of Defence. " Aspects of forensic responses to the Bali bombings "); CIA World Factbooks 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; CIA World Factbook, 14 June, 2007; CIA World Factbook, 28 July 2005; Study by David Lochhead and James Morrell; available from the Center for International Policy

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Conflict	Geography	Military
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Crime	Health	Religion
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