Armistice and maritime dependence shape Korean naval priorities

The Korean War ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty, leaving South Korea exposed to renewed conflict with an unpredictable North Korea. At the same time, the country depends on its sea lines of communication and exclusive economic zone. The sea also provides defensive depth around the peninsula. Fleet development must balance the immediate land threat with protection of the ocean routes that sustain the economy. That combination explains why maritime strength remains necessary even while the army holds the leading place in national defence.