A barefoot runner dashes across a cutting table spreading cloth into multiple layers for cutting at the 7th Quartermaster Clothing Factory of the South Korean army. A cutter will later cut through the layers with a machine that can cut up to four inches of fabric at the same time. (James Vestal/Stars and Stripes)
This article first appeared in the Stars and Stripes Pacific edition, Oct. 9, 1960. It is republished unedited in its original form.
The Republic of Korea. Army, besides being the world’s fourth largest, is one of the best dressed.
The 7th ROK Quartermaster Clothing Factory, located seven miles from the Hialeah compound in Pusan, are tailors for 630,000 soldiers whose appearance matches their fighting spirit.
They produce almost 3 million finished garments for ROK soldiers a year.
There are more than 1,300 persons working at the factory, under the watchful, experienced eye of two Americans from Philadelphia.
Lou J. Braccia, a U.S. Army Advisory Group, Korea (KMAG) , technical adviser, says the factory – once a Japanese textile mill — will be completely revamped.
He expects a new sewing shop, cutting room, bailing room, finished-item warehouse and boiler room to be operating by early 1961.
The No. 2 shop at the 7th Quartermaster Clothing Factory of the South Korean army is a busy hive of activity as workers sew and iron the various garment pieces that make up a ROK field jacket. The Busan factory — which will be renovated and expanded in 1961 — employs more than 1,300 men and women, including a team of 194 ROK officers and enlisted men. (James Vestal/Stars and Stripes)
Jong Soo Kim, an employee at the 7th Quartermaster Clothing Factory of the South Korean army traces ROK uniform patterns with chalk. The pattern pieces are put closely together to waste as little fabric as possible. The factory produces almost 3 million finished garments for ROK soldiers per year. (James Vestal/Stars and Stripes)
Lou J. Braccia, U.S. Army Advisory Group, Korea (KMAG) and Lt. Col. Moo Sup Lee check the padded lining of a coat at the 7th Quartermaster Clothing Factory of the South Korean army. (James Vestal/Stars and Stripes)
Pyong Tuk Lim uses a machine to cut through several inches of stacked fabric at the 7th Quartermaster Clothing Factory of the South Korean army. The machine can cut layers up to three to four inches thick at one time, speeding up the manufacturing process. (James Vestal/Stars and Stripes)
Braccia, a textile manufacturing specialist, said the plant will handle requirements for all services and “could compete with any similar establishment in the States.”
Maj. Robert G. Booth, a veteran of 18 years in quartermaster work said items produced by the factory are something the country can be proud of.
The factory was moved to its present location in the ROK’s largest city at the end of the Korean War. The International Cooperation Administration supplied machinery and the Military Assistance Program has provided material on many occasions.
A team of 194 ROK officers and. enlisted men round out the civilian work force at the factory.
Employee benefits are well looked after. There is a cafeteria and nursery at the factory.
On a parade field or a battle line, the ROK soldier is dressed warmly and well.
