>> Now, do you think children these days have it too easy? That's the view held by some parents in south Korea who enjoyed hard times in their own youth. They decided to toughen up their kids to prepare them for future challenges and they've called on the country's ministry to help. Charles Scanlon reports.

>> An amphibious assault on a beach south of Seoul. This is the unit that would spearhead a drive into Communist North Korea. Today the storm troopers are nervous teenagers. They've been sent by their parents for a week's rigorous military training. The idea is to toughen them up and break idle habits. The drill sergeants complain kids are getting softer. They say they're spoiled by affluence addicted by computer games. It's the second day of boot camp for these teenagers, and some say they've had enough already. In the hands of the marine corps, the toughest branch of the South Korean military. Marines say their training methods are designed to form a new type of human being. There's real stress and tear, but that's all part of the service. The parents are expecting results. This 17-year-old says she used to spend all night at her computer.

>> ( Translated ): I don't usually get up until 6:00 in the afternoon in the school holiday. My parents wanted me to experience some hardship. And I suppose they'd be pretty happy to see me here now. It's been really tough.

>> Military rations add to the Spartan atmosphere. A taste for the boys of compulsory military service to come.

>> ( Translated ): I really miss my mom's food, and I don't like all the shouting. I really didn't want to come, but my dad said he'd pay me $10,000 for every day if I agreed.

>> The marines hope these courses will improve their image and counter growing disenchantment with national service. The programme may be a shock for some, but it's been a huge hit with parents.  


>> Right now our economic situation is very... Not very good. So they want to... they want their children to overcome the harshness of the society of picking up the experience from our marine corps.

>> The training seems to be having an effect. No one flinches at plunging into the icy water. But what about the future.  One student told me he'd sleep for a week when the course was over. Charles Scanlon, bbc news, Pohang, South Korea.

>> Teenagers all over the world must have been watching that report absolutely horrified. You can get more detail on that on bbc world.Com.

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