Special Forces
Overview
Special Forces (特殊部隊, Special Forces) refer to military organizations specially selected and trained to carry out high-risk, highly difficult missions with small, elite formations, unlike ordinary conventional forces. Rather than the large-scale troop employment of conventional warfare, they specialize in asymmetric missions such as unconventional warfare, counterterrorism, hostage rescue, infiltration behind enemy lines, intelligence collection, and psychological warfare. In modern warfare, special forces are evaluated as 'strategic assets' in combination with advanced precision-strike systems, and their importance in the security strategies of each country is rapidly growing.
Key Content
Definition and Mission Scope
The essence of special forces is 'creating a large strategic effect with a small number of personnel.' Representative missions include ▲hostage rescue and counterterrorism operations ▲destruction and reconnaissance of key enemy facilities ▲protection of high-ranking figures (VIP protection) ▲underwater and airborne infiltration ▲support for unconventional warfare and training of guerrillas ▲psychological warfare and information operations ▲disaster and terrorism response. In many countries, special forces belong to the military, but paramilitary organizations responsible for counterterrorism and security missions, such as police special response units (SWAT), are also classified as special forces in the broad sense.
Historical Origins and Development
The prototype of modern special forces can be found in the United Kingdom's SAS (Special Air Service, established in 1941), the United States' OSS, and Germany's Brandenburgers during World War II. During the Cold War, unconventional warfare and rear-area disruption missions were emphasized, and in the wake of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre and various aircraft hijacking incidents, counterterrorism missions emerged as a core pillar of special forces. After the 1990s, through the Gulf War, the war in Afghanistan, and the Iraq War, 'networked small-unit operations' linking precision-guided weapons with satellite and drone reconnaissance assets became established as the standard.
Special Forces of the Republic of Korea
The Republic of Korea organizes its special warfare system around the Army Special Warfare Command (Special Warfare Command), the Naval Special Warfare Flotilla (UDT/SEAL), the Air Force 6th Search and Rescue Wing, and the Marine Corps Reconnaissance Battalion. The Special Warfare Command is mainly responsible for airborne and aerial infiltration and unconventional warfare, while UDT/SEAL is mainly responsible for maritime and underwater infiltration and counterterrorism missions. In addition, the Police Special Operations Unit, the Korea Coast Guard Special Operations Unit, and the 707th Special Mission Group of the Presidential Security Service carry out counterterrorism and protection missions. Soldiers, non-commissioned officers, and officers are all selected through application and rigorous physical and mental screening, and must complete high-intensity courses such as basic airborne training, underwater demolition training, and survival training.
Major Special Forces Around the World
Representative examples include the United States' Delta Force (1st SFOD-D), Navy SEALs, and Green Berets; the United Kingdom's SAS and SBS; Israel's Sayeret Matkal and Shayetet 13; Germany's KSK and GSG9; France's GIGN; and Russia's Spetsnaz. These are usually operated under the direct approval of the highest national leadership, and their command and control system differs from that of ordinary units in that the success or failure of an operation carries political and diplomatic repercussions.
Selection, Training, and Equipment
Special forces training focuses on verifying 'judgment and teamwork' through extreme physical and mental stress tests. Representative examples include the U.S. Navy SEALs' BUD/S, the United Kingdom's SAS selection process, and the Republic of Korea Special Warfare Command's airborne training. In recent years, evaluation criteria have expanded to include operational capability in complex environments such as night, urban, maritime, and mountainous areas, language and cultural understanding, and cyber and drone operation capabilities. In terms of equipment, suppressors, night vision devices, thermal imaging equipment, satellite communication terminals, precision sniper systems, small unmanned aerial vehicles, and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) equipment are becoming standardized.
Organization and Command System
Special forces are usually organized in small team units (4–12 personnel) and operate under mission command with a high degree of autonomy. However, due to the nature of their operations, jointness with intelligence agencies and air and naval assets is essential, and the ability to conduct combined operations with civilian government ministries and allied special forces is also evaluated as important.
Latest Trends
The biggest changes in the special forces field in 2024–2025 are 'technology convergence' and 'response to the gray zone.' First, as drone- and AI-based reconnaissance and target identification systems are actively integrated into special operations, the information advantage of small teams is expanding dramatically. The combination of commercial drones and satellite communications observed in the war in Ukraine served as an opportunity to reorganize the tactical doctrine of special forces. Second, as response to 'hybrid warfare,' encompassing cyber, electronic warfare, and psychological warfare, is emphasized, the boundary between special forces and intelligence agencies is blurring. Third, countries are integrating and expanding their special operations commands and increasing combined training among allies. South Korea is also investing in strengthening the jointness of special operations assets and expanding drone and robot operation capabilities, and inspections of the standing readiness posture of the counterterrorism response system are being strengthened. Fourth, ethical and legal control issues are emerging. As controversies over civilian casualties and violations of international humanitarian law act as political risks for special operations, there is a clear movement to refine operation approval procedures and post-operation verification systems.
Related Topics
- [[Counterterrorism]]
- [[Unconventional Warfare]]
- [[Army Special Warfare Command]]
- [[Navy SEALs]]
- [[SAS]]
- [[Hybrid Warfare]]