ROKs

ROKs is the plural form of the acronym ROK, which stands for the Republic of Korea, commonly known as South Korea. In English-language usage, ROK is used to refer to the country and its government, while the plural form Roks can appear when speaking about multiple entities associated with the Republic of Korea, such as its people, institutions, or military forces.

In diplomatic and policy contexts, ROK is the standard shorthand for the Republic of Korea, and the term is often paired with references to the ROK government, the ROK Armed Forces, or the ROK economy. The designation ROK Armed Forces refers to South Korea’s military as a whole, which is divided into branches such as the Army, Navy (often called the Republic of Korea Navy), Air Force, and Marine Corps. The contrast with DPRK, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, is a common framework in discussions about the Korean Peninsula.

When describing the population, speakers and writers typically use South Koreans rather than the plural form Roks, though ROK-related contexts can still employ the plural to denote multiple elements tied to the Republic of Korea. The term is most prevalent in English-language formal or governmental writing and is less common in everyday or casual usage.

ROK is distinct from similar abbreviations in other countries and is part of a broader set of geopolitical shorthand that helps differentiate the two Koreas.