South Korea’s 707th Special Mission Group, unofficially referred to as the “White Tigers” in the local military, is the tier one special operations force of the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA). Established in 1981 in response to growing international security threats, including the kidnapping of Korean nationals abroad, the unit was initially conceived as a counterterrorism force focused on hostage rescue. However, it morphed into a multipurpose unit capable of unconventional warfare and direct action, both in an overt and covert capacity.

Similar to its United States Army counterpart in the Combat Applications Group (CAG), the 707th Special Mission Group is structured to maintain a rapid-response readiness to counterterrorism requirements and peer-to-peer scenarios. Operating under the Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command (ROK-SWC), the elite unit also serves as a regional deterrent and quick-strike asset. Its operational doctrine and institutional identity emphasize precision and discretion, reflecting South Korea’s broader national security priorities. [source]

707th operators undergo one of the most gruelling selection and training pipelines in the South Korean military, encompassing mountain warfare, airborne insertion, language acquisition, advanced marksmanship, and waterborne operations. Their training includes extensive interoperability drills with the Australia Special Air Service (SASR), Singapore Special Tactics and Rescue (STAR), and United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM). 

Images Sourced From: Pfc. Yeonung Kim

1 Motto, Symbols, Patches and History 

1.1 Motto 

South Korea’s 707th motto is “Represent Logic with Action, Prove the Process with Results.” Its umbrella organization, the ROK-SWC, also has as part of its doctrine the motto “Make Impossible Possible” and “Approach like a Ghost, Strike like Thunder, Vanish like Smoke,” reflecting their methods through swift action and tangible outcomes.

1.2 Symbols

The “White Tiger” is the unofficial symbol of the 707th. Operators from the Special Mission not only use it as a unit symbol, but also wear them as patches (with variations on background colour and additional words depending on the squadron). The rank-and-file also use the ‘Black beret’ as an operational symbol, but units do not reserve it, since it signifies membership in the local special operations forces.

1.3 Patches 

Typically, the unit patch displays a white tiger either roaring or mid-pounce, set against a shield-shaped background. Variations of the patch include different background elements depending on the assigned squadron, operational theatre, or time period. For instance, some patches include the unit’s numerical designation either at the top or bottom, while others incorporate the national flag or unit motto. 

In recent years, newer tactical patches have emerged featuring more subdued colour palettes for camouflage compatibility, such as black-and-gray or desert tones, while still retaining the tiger insignia. Unit members have also used unofficial morale patches during recent missions and training, including the Forward Observations Group “Blackbeard”. [source, source, source, source].

1.4 History 

The South Korean government created the 707th in the aftermath of the 1972 Munich Olympics Massacre, after realizing it needed a unit of soldiers specifically trained to handle terrorist attacks and threats from North Korean special forces. Following its establishment, the government tasked the 707th Special Missions Battalion with providing security at the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.”

The “White Tigers” suffered their biggest loss of life on 5 February 1982 when a Fairchild C-123J transport aircraft carrying 47 of its members crashed on approach to Jeju International Airport in South Korea. Six Korean Air Force were also killed in the accident, one of the deadliest peacetime mass casualty incidents in the local military since the Korean War. A similar incident involving an Air Force C-123 crash into Mount Cheonggye on 1 June 1982 killed 49 ROK-SWC operators of the Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command. [source, source, source].

The Special Mission Group had its most visible development on 3 December 2024, when Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law and mobilized the 707t to secure critical locations, including the National Assembly. According to open information in local media, the unit’s primary objective was to prevent lawmakers from convening and potentially overturning the martial law decree. [source]

2 Organisation and Recruitment

2.1 Command Structure 

Team members operate under the larger umbrella of the Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command (ROK-SWC). Said command is equivalent to the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) and oversees all the army operations related to unconventional warfare. South Korea’s special forces include six regional brigades, one special mission team, one special mission battalion, and a training group. Although structured as a battalion-sized unit, the 707th exercises greater operational autonomy than the other units in the operational command. [source, source, source]

2.2 Unit Reorganization 

The “White Tigers” were restructured from the 707th Special Mission Battalion into the 707th Special Mission Group on 18 March 2019. The Ministry of National Defence announced in a business report to the National Assembly Committee that the reorganizations answered the battalion requirements to expand its manpower and capabilities. Accordingly, they also promoted the unit’s commander to colonel. During this process, they significantly expanded the unit’s intelligence section and explosive division. [source]

2.3 Selection and Assessment

Candidates for the 707th are primarily drawn from other special operations forces within the local military. While some volunteers apply directly, others are handpicked by their command based on performance and potential. Publicly available information shows that service members interested in becoming part of the unit must have at least one year of previous experience in the other army special forces brigades. This includes the six-month basic infantry certification and six-month special operations course. [source]

2.4 Training Pipeline

After selection and assessment, candidates undergo a three-month training at the Special Warfare Training Group (SWTG) headquarters to obtain mandatory qualifications in Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) and High Altitude, Low Opening (HALO) parachute jumps. Between qualifications, instructors require recruit candidates to perform physical training in freezing temperatures. Once officially assigned to an operational squadron, they move newcomers into specialized pipelines—such as sniper school, mountain warfare, or vehicle interdiction—of undetermined duration. [source]

Further details are unavailable due to the 707th secretive nature and sensitive role within South Korea domestic security and overseas operations, but the complete process for a recruit entering the regular army is estimated to be one year in training (six months in infantry courses and another six in operations school) plus one year as a team member in the regional brigades. Selection and Assessments (SFAS) adds twelve weeks for a total of over two years and three months before becoming tier one.

3 Equipment 

3.1 Weapons  

• KAC KS-3
• FN SCAR
• Noveske N4
• Glock 17 
• SIG P226 
• Beretta 92  
• H&K USP 
• Px4 Storm
• Jericho 941
• AWSM .338 
• KAC M110 
• Barrett MRAD
• HK MP7
• HK MP5
• HK MP9

3.2 Vehicles 

• Australian Shorland S600 MARS
• Ford Excursion MARS
• Ford F-350 MARS

3.3 Optics 

• Aimpoint T-2
• Elcan Specter

3.4 Armor and Kit

• Team Wendy EXFIL Helmets
• Crye Precision AIRFRAME Helmets
• LBT-6094 Plate Carrier
• Crye Precision JPC Plate Carrier
• Kryptek Mandrake  Combat Shirt
• Kryptek Mandrake Pants 
• Kryptek Typhon Combat Shirt
• Kryptek Typhon Pants
• Crye Precision G3 Combat Shirt
• Crye Precision G3 Pants
• Gatorz Eye Protection

3.5 Other Important Gear 

• GPNVG-18 Four Eyes Night Vision Goggles
• Trilobites IR
• MAWL Target Indicator

4 Tactical-Operational Information  

The 707th’s main focus is hostage rescue in counterterrorism scenarios, but its operational capabilities encompass direct action and asymmetric warfare against non-state actors and regional peer adversaries. As a multipurpose tier-one group, the “White Tigers” can act as a quick reaction force in domestic settings or as a special mission unit in overseas deployments. Team members are normally divided into the two main counterterrorism squadrons or the other four assault companies. 

4.1 Operations 

Since South Korean law classifies the ‘White Tigers’ operations and procedures as Level Two Military Secrets, the government keeps much of their operational history highly classified. In recent years, officials have disclosed only a few deployments due to the overt nature of the special operators involved. This includes the deployment to the United Arab Emirates, as well as the Martial Law Crisis.

The “Akh Unit” is the name given to the 707th team members deployed to Dubai as part of the Seoul contingent, tasked with training the local forces in special warfare and counterterrorism operations. Emirate Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Crown Prince Moha in 2010, after watching the training of the Special Mission Group during his visit to Korea, told Korea’s then Minister of National Defense Kim Tae-young, “It would be good if a unit like this could train our forces.” [source]

The South Korean Army’s strategic deployment in the United Arab Emirates significantly extended the operational reach of the team members into the Middle East and Africa. This expansion enabled the “White Tigers” to provide protection for South Korean nationals residing in those regions and enhanced the security of national vessels navigating the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf. [source]

The Ark Unit has served as a critical hub for several major operations, including Operation Dawn of the Gulf of Aden in 2011, which successfully suppressed pirates during the Samho Jewelry incident; Operation Miracle in 2021, which facilitated the evacuation of personnel during the Afghanistan crisis; and Operation Promise in 2023, which supported the rescue of citizens during the civil war in Sudan.

The Martial Law Crisis, on the other hand, refers to the Special Mission Group deployment to the National Assembly of Korea during Yoon Suk Yeol move against the local opposition. After the former president declared martial law in December 2024, the military deployed around 1,580 troops, 107 military vehicles, 12 Black Hawk helicopters, and more than 9,000 rounds of live ammunition around sensitive locations the local administration identified as critical infrastructure. [source]

The 707th stormed the National Preceding Hall after inserting from UH-60P Black Hawk military helicopters. Subsequently, a scuffle ensued between the legislators and the soldiers for control of the building. Amid the clashes, the National Assembly voted to end martial law, forcing the White Tigers to retreat during protests that involved both political figures and civilian demonstrators. 

Following the scandal, the unit faced significant backlash from civil society and government institutions due to its role in the political violence. Colonel Kim Hyun-Tae, commander of the Special Mission Group, assumed full responsibility for the actions of the unit in the assault on the parliament. The Defense Ministry dismissed six military officers from their posts as they were indicted for their partake in the scandal, including Kim Hyun-tae. [source, source, source]

4.2 Core Purpose

Counterterrorism is the core focus of the unit, as it was formed in response to the Munich Olympics massacre, with a primary mandate to respond rapidly to terrorist threats within South Korea. Between all possible scenarios of a terrorist incident, the 707th excels in hostage rescue in urban environments. Their compound is known to have training replicas of buses and planes to simulate operations. The White Tigers also received a liaison from Delta Force in the nineties to train against bombing threats [source]

4.3 Tactics 

Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) of the Special Mission Group are currently classified, but because of their emphasis on direct action in urban environments and their training relationship with the Combat Application group (CAG), we can assess that the Small Unit Tactics (SUTs) of the “White Tigers” are likely to be a reflection of the Delta Force operational procedures. This entails from travel bounding in reconnaissance schemes to leapfrog manoeuvres in reactions to contact.

Other tactics present in the United States Special Forces community, especially in Close Quarters Combat doctrine, are also likely to be present in the Special Mission Group for the cited reasons. Among those, we could mention stacking formations, “room flooding,”  “angleman-cornerboy,” “running the rabbit,” as well as other dynamic entry enhanced techniques not so well known to the public

4.4 Personnel size 

The 707th came to consist of two assault companies, one support company, and one all-female company that could be used as bodyguards or for low-visibility operations in the last two decades of service. Currently, the unit is believed to be composed of an estimated 300 operational personnel split into six companies. There are two main counterterror squadrons and four regional brigades. [source]

Each of the counterterrorist assault teams is organized around four 14-man operations teams. [Source] Support teams, including snipers and demolitions, also exist within the 707th structure, but further details on size and composition are unknown. United States Korean Detachment (DET-K) Sergeant Major Jack Hagan assures that at some point, the unit also had a female squadron in close protection duties. [source]

5 Conclusion

The 707th Special Mission Group, or “White Tigers,” stands as South Korea’s tier-one special forces, forged from the need to confront terrorism and unconventional threats in the wake of global and regional instability. Originally established in 1981 as a dedicated counterterrorism force, the unit has since evolved into a multipurpose outfit capable of conducting hostage rescue, direct action, and asymmetric warfare. Mirroring the United States’ Delta Force in both structure and operational philosophy, the 707th plays a crucial role within the Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command (ROK-SWC), acting as a rapid-response and high-value asset in both domestic crises and international deployments.

What makes the 707th particularly noteworthy is its strict selection standards, long training pipeline and swift operational adaptability. Their involvement in major events like the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the “Akh Unit” deployment in the United Arab Emirates, and the controversial 2024 Martial Law Crisis highlight the group’s strategic importance and the sensitive nature of their missions. Understanding the 707th is critical for grasping South Korea’s broader national security apparatus. The unit not only reflects the country’s response to state actors and unconventional threats, but also its internal tension between military power and democratic institutions, as seen during the recent political crisis.