Boot camp becomes winter break

Participants take part in training during the 2026 Winter Marine Corps Camp at the 1st Marine Division in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, on Jan. 13, 2026. Yonhap
SEOUL, January 14 (AJP) -What was once synonymous with hardship is increasingly being reimagined as a winter challenge experience.

The 1st Marine Division on Jan. 12 opened the “2026 Winter Marine Corps Camp” at its training center in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, drawing participants eager to sample life inside Korea’s elite fighting force.

About 230 people — including middle and high school students, university students and adults from across the country — signed up for the multi-day program. The division structured the camp around three themes: “Beginning,” “Challenge” and “Leap.”

Day one: induction

Participants began with an induction ceremony, followed by introductions to Marine Corps history, basic drill movements and traditional military songs — a first taste of discipline and esprit de corps.

Training, winter edition

From days two through four, the schedule shifted from classrooms to the field. Activities included mountain training, basic airborne exercises, inflatable boat (IBS) drills, hill training at Cheonja Peak and rides aboard the Korean Amphibious Assault Vehicle (KAAV).

This year’s camp also introduced a new program on military drones, offering participants a demonstration of how unmanned systems are increasingly integrated into modern operations.

Safety first

The division said the training is being operated flexibly in response to severe winter weather, with enhanced safety protocols in place. Measures include advance risk assessments and the constant deployment of medical personnel throughout the program.

For many participants, the camp offers not just a break from routine, but a hands-on glimpse into military life — turning winter vacation into a test of endurance, teamwork and resolve.

Participants take part in training during the 2026 Winter Marine Corps Camp at the 1st Marine Division in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, on Jan. 13, 2026. Yonhap