| Native Name: | 제707특수임무단 |
| Type: | Special forces |
| Dates: | 17 April 1981 – present |
| Command Structure: | ROKA Special Warfare Command |
| Size: | Group |
| Current Commander: | Classified |
| Garrison: | Classified |
| Nickname: | White Tiger |
| Motto: | 행동으로 논리를 대변하고, 결과로써 과정을 입증한다 Represent logic with action, prove the process with results |
The 707th Special Mission Group (Korean: 제707특수임무단, Hanja: 第707特殊任務團) is an elite special forces unit of the Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command (ROK-SWC). This unit is a well-known special mission unit primarily involve black operation, capture or kill high-value targets, counterterrorism, direct action, executive protection, hostage rescue, irregular warfare, special operations that are extremely high-risk and dangerous, and special reconnaissance to collect high-risk tactical intelligence.
The unit was formed after the Munich massacre, which forced the South Korean government to create a counterterrorism and hostage rescue unit in time for the 1988 Olympics that would be held in South Korea. In 1984, B Squadron of Delta Force traveled to South Korea to conduct training with the 707th.[1]
Prior to reorganization the 707th Battalion had about 200 men and women organized into a:
The all-female company could be used as bodyguards or for low-visibility operations, all divided into fourteen-man operating teams, as well as support and demolition teams. The all-female company was deactivated in 2014.[2] [3] [4] [5]
The unit has also been called on by the South Korean government to prioritize potential counterterrorism and hostage rescue operations against any possible threats on South Korean soil.[6] The unit is South Korea's primary black operation, counterterrorism, hostage rescue, and quick reaction force (QRF). The unit's soldiers once distinguished by their black berets (before the standardization of the black beret for all active soldiers) are tasked with conducting against irregular military, constitute the Army's QRF for emergencies, special operations that are extremely high-risk and dangerous, and urban counterterrorism and hostage rescue missions.[7] The unit's nickname is .[8]
During February 2019, the former was reorganized and renamed as the with additional personnel and equipment to ensure higher readiness against various threats.[9] It is now commanded by a Colonel instead of a Lieutenant Colonel.
Since 2011, the 707th Special Mission Group has maintained a presence in the United Arab Emirates as part of the South Korean Special Forces contingent, named 'Akh Unit,' deployed there to train local forces.[10]
See main article: February 1982 Korean Air Force C-123 accident.
On 5 February 1982, the unit suffered a devastating blow, when a Fairchild C-123J carrying 47 of its members, along with six Korean Air Force personnel, were killed in a crash while on approach to Jeju International Airport, Jeju, South Korea.[11] [12] [13] It was the deadliest peacetime accident the Korean armed forces experienced since the Korean War, with the exception of another Air Force C-123 that crashed into Mt. Choenggye on 1 June 1982, killing 53, including ROK-SWC's 49 commandos and four air force personnel.[14]
The recruitment process usually involves conscripts from different branches of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces (ROK Armed Forces) who apply and try out to become members of the elite force. Others are handpicked by their superiors across the different branches of the military and try out like their applicant counterparts. The selection process is very rigorous. First applicants will undergo a background check and then undergo a 10-day procedure in which 90% are eliminated.
All members of the 707th Group are SCUBA Diver or UDT/SEAL's and airborne qualified. It is reported that members frequently perform daily calisthenics in the snow and sub-zero temperatures and will swim in freezing lakes without any thermal protection.[15]
707th maintains close ties with similar units from around the globe, including Singapore's STAR group, the Australian SASR and Hong Kong's Special Duties Unit (SDU) although the unit's closest ties are with the US Army's 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) and Delta Force.[16] [17]
The 707th Group also owns and operates a multi-complex counterterrorism and hostage rescue training site for the ROK-SWC and hosts multi-national counterterrorism and hostage rescue training.[18]
The 707th SMG is known to be using the M2016 Special Warfare Command four-colour desert digital pattern.[19]