I have seen the South Korean soldiers first hand, these are very tough people.They're daily Physical training starts off with calisthentics and Ty Kwon Doe and finishes off with a 5-10 mi run in BDU pants and combat boots.It doesn't sound all that impressive until you see them running in sub freezing temps with no shirts brrrrr.And all this for $7 a month.We used to call em "rock" soldiers. ROC is an acronym for Republic of Korea.
I remember them growing up overseas. We always wondered if the Turks or ROK troops were tougher. After observing Korean guys kick the sh** out of each other just for fun on a day off, we gave it to the ROKs.
You neglected to mention the senior NCO who follows the formation carrying a baton similar to a policeman's nightstick. The NCO's job is to provide motivation to any soldier who falls out of formation that said soldier should quickly rejoin the formation and complete the run.
The ROK Army are physical fitness fanatics, but they are nothing compared to the ROK Marine Division. Let's just say those guys are in a class by themselves for physical fitness and discipline.
Yes, the Koreans I know as tough. I wouldn't want to be a terrorist with an angry Korean after me. In fact the poor guy that was murdered, his behavior - begging - shocked me.
The Korean military tradition actually is based on the old Imperial Japanese Army who recieved their training from the German Army during the late 19th Century which is based on the old Prussian system. Japan ruled Korea (1895 to 1945). Stiff discipline and harsh training is part of that regima. The ROK military expect to lose a dozen or so trainees/conscripts each year, but it produces a mentally tough highly discipline soldier. The North Koreans are equally tough.