A new report shows the Defense Ministry will train snipers among its reserves amid heightened inter-Korean tensions.

The ministry said in its report that it will train two snipers from each reserve guard squad to prepare for contingencies and to better equip South Korea for potential combat with North Korean special forces.

The snipers will be trained with M16A1 rifles and high magnification optics.

The ministry says it plans to maintain some 30-thousand reservist snipers.

The ministry also plans to make its reserves training more stringent.
Fifth-and six-year reservists, who had commuted for three days to attend each round of reservist training, will be required to attend a two-day training session while staying overnight at military bases. Basic livelihood security recipients will be exempted.

South Korea has about three million reservists.