About 200 South Korean Special Forces are taking part in ten days of grueling winter weather combat training.
With a constant threat from North Korea, South Korea’s Army Special Warfare Command (SWC) is responsible for special operations in the country. SWC soldiers frequently work closely with US Green Berets and their modus operandi include guerrilla warfare, assassinations, and counter-terrorism.
Every year, members of the SWC must participate in winter warfare training in the mountains of Pyeongchang, east of Seoul. Conditions in Pyeongchang generally include temperatures as low as negative 22 degrees Fahrenheit and deep snow.
During the training exercises, SWC soldiers participate in distance runs shirtless.
Kim Hong-Ji/REUTERS
Soldiers also participate in general exercises in the frozen temperatures.
Kim Hong-Ji/REUTERS
The idea is to acclimate soldiers to any intense conditions they may find themselves in.
Kim Hong-Ji/REUTERS
Seemingly bizarre, the training instills a sense of mental and physical toughness within the SWC ranks.
Kim Hong-Ji/REUTERS
Aside from becoming acclimated to adverse physical conditions, all members of the SWC must achieve a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Kim Hong-Ji/REUTERS
Likewise, members of the team must excel at marksmanship. Here, SWC soldiers train in tactical skiing with rifles.
Kim Hong-Ji/REUTERS
The SWC is composed of seven special forces brigades with an eighth special mission battalion. Here, SWC forces take position in a frozen river.
Kim Hong-Ji/REUTERS
All SWC members must volunteer for entry into the group before being handpicked for entrance.
Kim Hong-Ji/REUTERS
Heartbreaking photos inside the bedrooms of children who died in last year’s South Korean ferry disaster
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Pikachu to cuddle with kimono-clad beauty on Tokyo street as part of flower art event
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
7-Eleven Japan’s “Paper Tiger” sandwich sparks online controversy over deceptive packaging
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Pokémon becomes fine art with series of two hand-crafted Pikachu woodblock prints fans can buy
16 Things I Learned From Dressing in Drag: Confessions of a One-night Crossdresser
Kinotake Mother AI developed to study Japan’s divide between chocolate cookie snacks
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says