Ready for war? US Marines team up with South Korean military for exercises in sub-zero temperatures as Trump's America sends a message to Kim Jong-un and China
- The 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force are conducting joint winter exercises with crack South Korean soldiers
- The exercises are taking place near Pyeongchang, which will host the Winter Olympics in February 2018
- The Marines and their South Korean allies played out a scenario in which North Korean troops invaded
- Wearing snow camouflage, or occasionally shirtless, the troops practised skiing, shooting and wrestling
US Marines and South Korean troops have been conducting joint exercises in temperatures of minus 20 degrees Celsius as the Pentagon sends out a warning to both North Korea and China.
The 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force, usually based in Okinawa, Japan, flew over to Pyeongchang to join their local allies for a series of gruelling exercises in the freezing cold.
Next year Pyeongchang will host the Winter Olympics but this year the area was the location of even more arduous activities.
The endurance exercises included a scenario in which South Korea comes under attack from its communist foe beyond the 38th parallel.
The men involved are among the best in both armies and the annual exercise is an opportunity to sharpen their winter skills
Marines from the 3rd Marine Expeditionary force deployed from Okinawa, Japan, participate in the winter military training exercises with their South Korean allies
South Korean marines participate in the winter military training exercise in the hills surrounding Pyeongchang
It has happened before. At dawn on Sunday June 25, 1950 the North Korean army stormed across the border with Kim Il-sung - grandfather of current leader Kim Jong-un - promising to hang the 'bandit traitor Syngman Rhee (South Korea's president)'.
Back then there were no US troops in Korea and the North Koreans captured the capital, Seoul, and almost conquered the entire peninsula before General Douglas MacArthur and his troops arrived to rescue the situation.
The Korean War ended three years later with millions dead and the peninsula permanently divided between the democratic South and the communist North.
The winter exercises took place only days after American, Japanese and South Korean warships conducted joint naval drills off the coast, designed to prepare for a missile attack by the North.
But this year there was also a hidden agenda - showing off to the increasingly belligerent Chinese, that the US remains a powerful military adversary in Asia.
The exercise tests the men's marksmanship, tracking and communication skills
These guys are tough so stripping off to play in the snow in sub-zero temperatures is nothing to them
Almost 70 years ago North Korean troops stormed across the border and the US rushed troops to the peninsula to turn the tide and drive back the communist army
The Marines are usually based in tropical Okinawa so the exercise is their only opportunity to hone their skiing abilities
Temperatures fall far below zero on the Korean peninsula during winter
Ooh Rah! The US Marines strip off in sub-zero temperatures for a spot of male bonding in the snow
Wrestlemania: Korean and US servicemen get to grips with each other in the snow, watched by an audience of comrades
Hand-to-hand combat: Should they run out of bullets they will be ready to take on the enemy by grappling them
While the South Koreans' priority is defending against North Korea, the US also has an eye on China
Next year Pyeongchang will host the Winter Olympics but the cross-country skiers then won't be armed
Marines and soldiers are silhouetted against the background of snow in the mountains near Pyeongchang, which pipped Munich and Annecy in France to be chosen as the venue for next year's Winter Olympics
Brothers-in-arms: The annual exercise is also an opportunity to improve teamwork between the US and South Koreans
Most watched News videos
- Serena Williams awkwardly neglects her fiancé after Aus Open win
- Many Clouds dies after beating Thistlecrack in the Cotswold Chase
- 'There goes that relationship' Trump's quip to BBC question
- Incredible moment truck crashes through middle of bus
- Grandma accused of killing son-in-law celebrated during testimony
- Graphic: NZ Breakers player's eye dislodged in horrific injury
- Bizarre footage of multiple UFOs hovering near Mexican border
- George and Laura Bush welcome the Obamas to the White House 2009
- Harriet was rescued from a South Korean meat farm
- Look what the cat dragged 'OUT'! Cute cat learns to open drawers
- Inauguration etiquette 101: Escort First Lady up White House steps
- Huge tiger roams the streets after escaping circus in Italy
The true defenders of democracy and freedom. Great ...
by NicoK 187