▲ The Army's Special Warfare Command points at a target while concealing themselves using snow and other things found on the ground in the eastern province of Gangwon, in this photo provided by the Army on Jan. 22, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Army-winter drills

Army's Special Warfare Command stages wintertime drills

SEOUL, Jan. 22 (Yonhap) -- The Army's Special Warfare Command has been staging intensive wintertime drills aimed at enhancing its special operations capabilities under extreme weather conditions, the armed service said Thursday.

The 12-day drills have been taking place since earlier this month near Daegwallyeong Pass, located in a mountainous region in eastern South Korea, according to the Army. It said the training will run until February, without specifying when it began.

The exercise, which is held annually at the height of the winter cold in January and February, unfolds in a choppy mountainous region 1,407 meters above sea level, with the lowest apparent temperature of minus 30 C.

During the drills, troops infiltrate an opponent from the rear area and observe their target while covering themselves with snow and leaves during daytime, and dig out a shelter to discuss future operation plans during nighttime.

They also practice escaping from enemy territory after completing their mission, along with tactical ski training aimed at dodging the opponent's strikes.

Meanwhile, this year's drills have involved veteran command officers as opponents to simulate a realistic scenario.

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[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]