South Korean students hoping to get in shape and improve their discipline braved the sweltering summer heat on Wednesday… attending a boot camp run by a special commando group.

Instead of relaxing during the annual summer break, more than 200 students joined the marine-style boot camp in Buchon, west of Seoul.

The camp aims to test their physical and mental endurance through eight hours of daily activities such as dragging parachutes, running with rubber boats on their shoulders, and jumping from a 40 foot tower.

"Defensive falls were a very hard part of the training and trench battles were interesting. After this four-day training, I will be ready to march toward my aim with better preparedness."

In the afternoon the temperature began to heat up.

"It's tough and sometimes I lose my temper, but I feel I get something out of it. It's difficult to train, but I know I can get over my limitations with very good physical exercise."

The army has been running these boot camps since 2003, with approximately 17,000 participants.

"Through this camp run by our special commando group, our military, we like to show we are strong but kind and we like our participants to have a valuable opportunity to get confidence and self-restraint, spirit and patriotism."

South Korean men must complete 24 months of military service after graduating from high school and before they turn 30.