(ED) Death of Soldiers – The Korea Times

The military should reaffirm security commitments

Within two weeks, two army recruits tragically lost their lives.

An army trainee soldier died on Saturday, two days after collapsing during training as part of disciplinary measures at a unit in Inje, Gangwon province. The suspected cause of death is heat stroke. A second soldier died on May 21 as a result of a grenade explosion during training with the Army’s 32nd Infantry Division in Sejong. Additionally, the platoon commander was injured in the incident.

In a country where all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 35 are required to complete 18 to 21 months of military service, we are deeply saddened and remorseful when such deaths occur. Their service protects and sustains our lives and those of our nation.

In the case of a military trainee who died during disciplinary training, the Army admitted there was circumstantial evidence suggesting a violation of military regulations. Both the police and the military are investigating the incident. Given the fact that the army admits to potential regulatory violations, a thorough investigation is necessary to uncover the truth.

A trainee soldier in Inje’s unit joined the army less than two weeks before his death. He and five others were undergoing backpack training, which involved running and walking around a sports field in full military gear and then doing push-ups for about an hour before he collapsed. The purpose of pack drill is to strengthen the spirit and mental state of soldiers, but certain regulations apply. According to these regulations, soldiers in full military gear should not be ordered to run during disciplinary actions, and if ordered to do push-ups, they should be without equipment.

The investigation should determine whether any violations of these regulations occurred and whether disciplinary training was outside normal practice. The Korea Center for Military Human Rights said others warned the military official taking the disciplinary measure that the soldier did not look well, but those concerns were dismissed. The police and military should thoroughly investigate every aspect of this incident to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

As a divided nation, South Korea’s military is undeniably a huge organization that remains largely isolated from the civilian sector despite improvements to barracks life such as allowing soldiers to use cellphones after work hours. In this hierarchical and disciplined environment, there is a tendency to treat lower-ranking soldiers as mere subordinates. When accidents result in multiple deaths, it is crucial that a transparent investigation is carried out to prevent such tragedies from happening again. Accountability should be rigorously enforced, especially in cases of cover-up attempts, with the penalty reflecting the seriousness of the crime while taking into account due process in investigations.

Around 2020, there has been a decline in deaths in the military, including accidents and suicides. However, there has been an increase recently, with 103 cases reported in 2021 and 93 cases in 2022. Particularly disturbing is the apparent disregard for safety protocols. Last July, a Marine participating in a search and rescue operation during a flood tragically lost his life because he was sent on a mission without a life jacket. The investigation into his death sparked political controversy between the ruling and opposition parties. These tragic deaths of young conscripts resonate deeply with the Korean public, highlighting concerns about safety in the military.

Over the years, the period of conscript service was shortened and military conditions for young men in the barracks were improved. It is imperative that the military, to the fullest extent possible, prioritize the safety and security of these conscripts. Ongoing police and military investigations into recent incidents must be conducted in a transparent and fair manner, with the aim of providing comfort and reassurance to bereaved families.