HUNDREDS of U.S. and South Korean marines have teamed up in frosty conditions for winter training in PyeongChang.

The allied forces have taken to the mountainous region which will play host to next year's Winter Olympics.

13 Shirtless members of the South Korean and US Marine corps were put through their paces in the snow

The three-week exercise began on December 4 at the Mount Hwangbyeong training camp as part of the Korea Marine Exercise Program, the Yonhap news agency reports.

It involves more than 220 South Korean Marines and some 220 U.S. Marines, normally stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

Both sides have staged combined winter drills since 2013, aiming to sharpen their combat skills in the sub-zero temperatures.

Pictures of the exercise showed shirtless members of both corps flinging snow into the air.

13 The two forces teamed up for the exercise which took place in Pyeongchang

13 Marines on skis and carrying rifles looked like something straight out of a James Bond film as they swooped down the slopes in the Korean mountains

13 The troops were also put through their physical paces performing push ups in the subzero temperatures

13 Hundreds of troops from both countries teamed up for the exercise which has become an annual fixture in both military calendars

13 A marine takes aim covered in snow camouflage during the exercise

The men seemed to enjoy the exercise as they were all smiles while they were put through their paces in the Korean mountains.

White and grey winter camouflage was also put to use as they practised with fire arms in the snowy forest.

Troops on skies and carrying rifles looked like something out of a James Bond film as they swooped, locked and loaded down the slopes.

13 Hand to hand combat skills were also put to the test as they went through the team building exercise

13 The team building exercise seemed to go well as the men cheered during the training

13 Troops tossed snow into the air during the frigid fighting practice Credit: EPA

13 The exercise has become a fixture for both sets of troops as they work to build up a relationship Credit: AFP

13 Pyeongchang will play host to the Winter Olympics which are due to kick off in Februrary

A spokesman for the III US Marine Expeditionary Force told Yonhap: "This exercise has been held with a focus on enhancing the combined combat capabilities of the South Korean and U.S. Marine Corps in winter war conditions under which temperatures drop down to about minus 20 C."

The South Korean forces were also in the region to prepare to support security measures for the Winter Olympics which will kick off in February.

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South Korean Marine Corps Commandant Lt. General Jun Jin-goo told the chilly troops: "You are a symbol of the robust South Korea-U.S. alliance, overcoming the severe cold with comradeship.

"Let's defend the Republic of Korea (South Korea) firmly on the basis of hot comradeship and strong combat power of the allies' Marine Corps."

The exercise comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region with Kim Jong-un's constant sabre rattling in the North worrying the international community.

13 A spokesman for the III US Marine Expeditionary Force told Yonhap: 'This exercise has been held with a focus on enhancing the combined combat capabilities of the South Korean and U.S. Marine Corps in winter war conditions under which temperatures drop down to about minus 20 C.'

13 More than 220 South Korean Marines and some 220 U.S. Marines stationed in Okinawa, Japan took part in the exercise

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