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Korea Marine Corps<br />
country’s Agency for Defense Development<br />
(ADD), intended as a replacement<br />
for the M3 for use by Special Forces. Manufactured<br />
by S&T Motiv, the K1 entered<br />
service in 1981. These original weapons<br />
suffered from problems caused by a poorly<br />
designed flash suppressor, excessive recoil<br />
and a weak stock.<br />
However, these early troubles were<br />
soon solved in the follow-on K1A that<br />
made its appearance in 1982; this is the<br />
variant now in service. It is distinguished<br />
by a flash suppressor that has three holes<br />
in the top-right quadrant to reduce muzzle<br />
flip. While the K1 submachine gun shares<br />
development history with the regular K2<br />
assault rifle, they are different designs.<br />
The direct-impingement gas system of the<br />
K1 fires 5.56x45mm rounds. S&T Motiv<br />
has since developed the K2C, a carbine<br />
version of the K2 assault rifle. While it<br />
could be a potential replacement for the<br />
K1A, it seems destined for Special Forces<br />
use first. The K2C has been field tested<br />
by the ROK military, and an S&T Motiv<br />
spokesman told <strong>SADJ</strong> it is scheduled to be<br />
introduced in 2015.<br />
The K1A weighs 2.87 kg and its barrel<br />
is 263 mm long. The submachine gun<br />
measures 838 mm in length with its stock<br />
extended, or 653 mm when folded. The<br />
submachine gun’s effective firing range<br />
is given as 250 m (using M193 ammunition),<br />
and it has a rate of fire of 700-<br />
900 rounds per minute. The magazine<br />
holds 30 rounds.<br />
K2 5.56MM ASSAULT RIFLE<br />
The K2 assault rifle is the standard<br />
personal weapon of a South Korean Marine.<br />
Produced by the same company that<br />
makes the K1A, the K2 was inducted into<br />
South Korean service in 1984 as a replacement<br />
for the M16A1, which is still found in<br />
the hands of some reserves. Interestingly,<br />
the K2’s development commenced before<br />
that of the K1 (it actually started in 1972)<br />
even though it was introduced several<br />
years later. At the time, Colt accused the<br />
designer of copying its M16, an allegation<br />
that was not upheld. Indeed, few parts are<br />
interchangeable with the M16.<br />
The K2 is a gas-operated, long-stroke<br />
weapon with three selectable firing modes:<br />
semiautomatic, three-round burst and<br />
full automatic. A couple of variants have<br />
been developed and trialed, including the<br />
A private first class protects a beachhead after coming<br />
ashore aboard a KAAV amphibious assault vehicle near<br />
Pohang. He is armed with a K2 assault rifle, the standard<br />
personal weapon in both the ROKMC and ROK Army.<br />
SADEFENSEJOURNAL.COM 49
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