U.S. Marine Corps Forces Korea (MARFORK) is the U.S. Marine Corps' service component for United States Forces Korea (USFK) and United Nations Command (UNC). It commands all U.S. Marine forces assigned to USFK and UNC; advises USFK and UNC on the capabilities, support, and proper employment of Marine forces in defense of the Republic of Korea (ROK); and serves as the U.S. Marine Corps’ representative to the Commandant of the ROK Marine Corps.
U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Valerie A. Jackson, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Korea, and Gov. Oh Young-hun, governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, pose for a photo in front of a Staff Sgt. Reckless statue during a wreath-laying ceremony honoring Staff Sgt. Reckless at LetsRun Park Jeju in Jeju City, South Korea, May 12, 2026. Staff Sgt. Reckless, a decorated Marine Corps war horse who served with 5th Marine Regiment during the Korean War, is remembered for her valor and enduring legacy in the shared history of the U.S. Marine Corps and the Republic of Korea. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Antonio Campbell)
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U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Ismael G. Bamba, command senior enlisted leader of Marine Forces Korea, stands at attention as his citation is read during his award ceremony at Republic of Korea Marine Corps Headquarters at Camp Baran, South Korea, Feb. 3, 2026. The commendation highlights significant efforts supporting regional stability, alliance readiness and combined operational effectiveness on the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Antonio Campbell)
U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Guido Valdez, the medical officer of the Marine Corps (right), speaks with U.S. Marine Corps Col. Peter Ankney, deputy commander (center), and U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aldo Pena, a hospital corpsman, both with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Korea, during a visit to U.S. Army Garrison Camp Humphreys, South Korea, Feb. 19, 2026. Valdez works directly with Headquarters Marine Corps and the Commandant of the Marine Corps to ensure appropriate medical care is provided to service members and their families. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Antonio Campbell)
U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Valerie A. Jackson, commander of United States Marine Corps Forces Korea, and U.S. Space Force Col. John Patrick, commander of Space Forces Korea, pose for a photo with Republic of Korea military personnel following a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief demonstration during Exercise Cobra Gold 2026 at the Disaster Relief Training Center, Cha Choeng Sao, Thailand, Feb. 27, 2026. Cobra Gold is the Indo-Pacific’s largest annual military exercise in mainland Asia, co-hosted by the U.S. and Thailand. The exercise brings together participants from multiple nations for military training and humanitarian projects that strengthen regional partnerships and demonstrate U.S. commitment to Indo-Pacific security. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Antonio Campbell)
Republic of Korea Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Kim Soo Young, commanding general of the ROK Marine Corps Education and Training Group, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Ismael G. Bamba, the command senior enlisted leader of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Korea, arrives for the graduation ceremony at ROK Marine Corps Base Pohang, South Korea, March 6, 2026. The ceremony marks the successful completion of rigorous training and honors new noncommissioned officers for their leadership, discipline, and readiness to lead within the ROK Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Antonio Campbell)
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Ismael G. Bamba, command senior enlisted leader of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Korea, renders a salute to fallen Republic of Korea Marines alongside ROK Marine Corps and Navy leaders during a memorial ceremony for the 15th anniversary of the Bombardment of Yeonpyeong to honor the fallen ROK Marines and their unwavering actions in defense of their country, on Nov. 23, 2025. On Nov. 23, 2010, upon receiving North Korean artillery fire on Yeonpyeong Island, ROK Marine Corps forces responded swiftly and decisively with artillery counterfire to successfully defend the island in what is known today as the Bombardment of Yeonpyeong. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Simon Saravia)
U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Kuan C. Huang, a communications chief with United States Marine Corps Forces Korea, hands his daughter rank insignia to pin on to his collar during his promotion ceremony to Master Sergeant in Quantico, Virginia, May 1, 2023. Huang was recently recognized by the Camp Humphreys Army Education Center during the Joint College Recognition Ceremony for his recent college graduation alongside other service members and civilians. MARFORK is the U.S. Marine Corps' service component for United States Forces Korea and United Nations Command. (Courtesy photo).
Canadian Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Derek Macaulay, deputy commander of United Nations Command, right, U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Valerie A. Jackson, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Korea, center-right, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William D. “Hank” Talyor, acting commander of Eighth Army, and other leaders place flowers down in honor of the fallen during a floral tribute event commemorating the 75th anniversary of the landing at Incheon, in Incheon, South Korea, Sept. 15, 2025. The commemoration honored the strategic success of the landing, which turned the tide of the Korean War, and paid tribute to the sacrifices made by Republic of Korea and United Nations Command Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Simon Saravia)
The mother of Republic of Korea Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Suh Jung-woo kneels at the foot of her son’s headstone during a memorial ceremony for the 15th anniversary of the Bombardment of Yeonpyeong to honor the fallen ROK Marines and their unwavering actions in defense of their country, on Nov. 23, 2025. On Nov. 23, 2010, upon receiving North Korean artillery fire on Yeonpyeong Island, ROK Marine Corps forces responded swiftly and decisively with artillery counterfire to successfully defend the island in what is known today as the Bombardment of Yeonpyeong. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Simon Saravia)
U.S. Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Korea establish a communication node during training in support of Ulchi Freedom Shield 25 on the Korean Peninsula, Aug. 19, 2025. This training exercises an aspect of the MARFORK mission to support U.S. and ROK Marine Corps units in the defense of the Republic of Korea and to maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific. UFS is an annual joint military exercise conducted by the Republic of Korea and the United States to enhance combined defense posture and response capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Simon Saravia)