I don't understand why they would go about this in such a weird way. The methodology of forging "super elite" units is pretty well documented, any number of former SEAL Team 6, Delta Force, SAS etc members have written their memoirs, and an allied government that already had such a force would be happy to assist in the training, giving access to the facilities and details not covered in the books. In fact Delta Force was created with the assistance of the SAS. Even in "normal elite" forces, e.g. the Rangers were created with the assistance of the Royal Marines. Allies help each other out all the time in this field.

Also, why cut off the pay to like, 20 guys? That’s absolutely peanuts compared to the cost of the entire South Korean army.

It’s also completely counter productive to making an elite unit. Maybe giant masses of underfed peasants might make a decent conscript army by sheer weight of numbers, but a hungry specops force is a useless specops force.

The article is not about "plot" to kill North Korean leader. It is about a squad which would be used to do it in certain circumstances.

Pedantically, isn’t the “it” part of “do it” the plot?

Interesting that they would allow press on such a clandestine outfit. However, I suppose perhaps in part — at least — its goal would be deterrence.