Korean Dictionary
How to say "National defense" in Korean
“National defense” in Korean is 국방 (pronounced "Gukbang").
국방
Gukbang
Usage & Context
Military term related to national defense. Important vocabulary for understanding Korean military culture and defense terminology.
Example Sentence
이것은 국방에 대한 예문입니다.
This is an example sentence about national defense.
How to use 국방 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “National defense” is 국방, romanized as Gukbang.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 국방.
Pronunciation Guide
For '국방' (Gukbang), 'Guk' sounds like 'gook' but with a soft, unreleased 'k' sound at the end, transitioning into 'bang', which rhymes with the English word 'bang'.
More Example Sentences
Discussing national policy or security issues.
우리나라의 국방력 강화는 매우 중요합니다.
Strengthening our nation's defense capabilities is very important.
A news report about military affairs.
국방부는 새로운 무기 체계 도입을 검토 중입니다.
The Ministry of National Defense is reviewing the introduction of a new weapon system.
Explaining why someone joined the military.
그는 국방의 의무를 다하기 위해 군대에 입대했습니다.
He enlisted in the military to fulfill his duty of national defense.
Cultural Context
National defense ('국방') is a highly significant topic in South Korea due to its geopolitical situation and mandatory military service for men. Discussions often involve the ROK Armed Forces, the relationship with North Korea, and the alliance with the US. It's a common theme in news, political debates, and everyday conversations, especially among men who have completed their service.
Editorial note
We review entries like 국방 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
국방을 강화하다
To strengthen national defense
국방 예산
Military budget (national defense budget)
국방 정책
Defense policy
Related Expressions
국방부
Gukbangbu
Ministry of National Defense
국방력
Gukbangnyeok
Defense capability/power
국방의 의무
Gukbang-ui uimu
Duty of national defense (military service)
안보
Anbo
Security (broader term)
More Military Words
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