South Korean and U.S. Marines joined in military exercises in sub-freezing temperatures on Tuesday, including shirtless hand-to-hand combat in the snow.
About 220 South Korean marines and another 220 U.S. Marines took part in the training, simulating various combat situations in icy-cold weather and snow in Pyeongchang, host of the Winter Olympics in 2018, amid growing concerns about North Korea‘s possible provocations during the games.
The training began on Dec. 4 and will continue until Dec. 22 in Pyeongchang, about 180 kilometres east of Seoul. South Korean marines will be mobilized for security operations at the Pyeongchang Games.
About 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea as part of a joint defence with the South.
Pyongyang tested its most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile on Nov. 29, which it said could put all of the United States within range, in defiance of international pressure and UN sanctions.