Beginning in 1990, the South Korean Armed Forces (including elite units) had discarded the previously worn Olive Drab Combat uniform (worn from 1948-1989) in favor of a universal camouflage pattern based on woodland designs. Although similar to the US m81 woodland pattern, the drawings are significantly different in size and shape. Called Tonghab (통합 or "integrated"), the pattern would remain in general service with the South Korean armed forces until 2010, and was printed on both poplin and (more recently) ripstop cotton blend fabrics.
In 2004, South Korea introduced its own, three-color desert camouflage pattern, essentially a recoloration of the standard ROK Woodland design. This design was first issued to troops sent to Afghanistan in 2003, and later by ROK personnel in Iraq, as well as UN and training missions abroad.
