Civilians enrol in S. Korea boot camps
Source: Agencies |
January 21, 2011, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
OVER a thousand South Korean civilians braved sub-zero temperatures around the country to take part in boot camps run by a special commando unit, hoping to get into shape and improve their self-discipline.
The boot camps, which run for three days and have been held since 2003, are aimed at "educating" civilians about national security in a country that shares a heavily-armed border with North Korea, which in -November shelled a South Korean island near their shared sea border, killing several civilians.
About 250 people took part in the boot camp at Bucheon, just west of Seoul, one of six that are being run around the country.
Instead of staying warm at home during their winter break, participants dragged parachutes, underwent training in a tear-gas filled hut and took part in "flying fox" exercises from a wooden tower.
The cold was unforgiving, with temperatures hitting minus 10 degrees Celsius in Seoul.
"It was very difficult from the -beginning, my muscles ached and it hurt a lot," said 18-year-old Kim Myung-jin.
"But I trusted my trainers under the intense situations and sympathized with the soldiers' hard work."
South Korea has a mandatory conscription policy for men, who have to complete 24 months of military service between graduating from high school and turning 30.
The camps have been running since 2003 and 18,000 people have taken part. "The special commando's camp, which is an educational ground for national security for civilians, is a good motivation to feel the importance of the country," said Lieutenant Colonel Kim Jong-tak.
"After the training, we expect them to live life with hope and challenge themselves, rather than feeling abandoned and frustrated, while thinking about the camp slogan: 'Make the impossible possible.'"
"Once I get out of here, I will be good to my mother. I will be good to my mother and father and willingly help them," said 15-year-old Woo Seung-yeon.
The boot camps, which run for three days and have been held since 2003, are aimed at "educating" civilians about national security in a country that shares a heavily-armed border with North Korea, which in -November shelled a South Korean island near their shared sea border, killing several civilians.
About 250 people took part in the boot camp at Bucheon, just west of Seoul, one of six that are being run around the country.
Instead of staying warm at home during their winter break, participants dragged parachutes, underwent training in a tear-gas filled hut and took part in "flying fox" exercises from a wooden tower.
The cold was unforgiving, with temperatures hitting minus 10 degrees Celsius in Seoul.
"It was very difficult from the -beginning, my muscles ached and it hurt a lot," said 18-year-old Kim Myung-jin.
"But I trusted my trainers under the intense situations and sympathized with the soldiers' hard work."
South Korea has a mandatory conscription policy for men, who have to complete 24 months of military service between graduating from high school and turning 30.
The camps have been running since 2003 and 18,000 people have taken part. "The special commando's camp, which is an educational ground for national security for civilians, is a good motivation to feel the importance of the country," said Lieutenant Colonel Kim Jong-tak.
"After the training, we expect them to live life with hope and challenge themselves, rather than feeling abandoned and frustrated, while thinking about the camp slogan: 'Make the impossible possible.'"
"Once I get out of here, I will be good to my mother. I will be good to my mother and father and willingly help them," said 15-year-old Woo Seung-yeon.
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