Military Deaths Investigation: 43 Cases Clarified... Some Deaths Due to Inability to Endure Forced Compensation for Lost Supplies
[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The Military Death Incident Truth Commission has requested the Ministry of National Defense to re-examine 43 truth verification cases.
On the 29th, the commission announced that out of the 1,787 truth verification applications received so far, 1,407 cases have been closed and 380 cases are being processed. Some of the 43 truth verification cases approved at the 57th regular meeting held the previous day were also disclosed together on this day.
Yang, who enlisted in the military in 1953 under his older brother’s name on behalf of his married older brother with children, was mobilized for the military’s ‘welfare business’ during his service. The welfare business was a corrupt practice in the 1950s where the military illegally conducted profit-making activities at subordinate units to cover budget shortages.
Yang was recorded in military records as having died by self-harm in 1956 while operating a vehicle for welfare business purposes as a sergeant. However, recent investigations by the Military Death Incident Truth Commission revealed that Sergeant Yang served 41 months beyond his mandatory service period under unjust orders from his commander and, unable to raise the money to pay to the unit, became despondent and took his own life.
The deceased had rented one military truck and paid a fixed amount monthly, but due to poor business performance and truck breakdowns causing suspension of operations, he was unable to raise the payment and became despondent.
Yang, who enlisted in place of his older brother, remained recorded under his brother’s name even after his death. Only recently, through an ‘application for correction of proxy enlistment,’ was his own name restored 66 years after his death.
The commission disclosed summaries of cases such as Private Lee’s, for which the objection period had passed after truth verification was completed and which were deemed appropriate for improving military culture and human rights.
Private Lee died suddenly in 1978 while serving as a defense soldier after receiving medical treatment for harassment by a senior. According to the commission’s investigation, Lee’s senior repeatedly severely assaulted him for reasons including ‘being older.’ Due to physical pain and extreme stress, Private Lee exhibited abnormal behavior such as biting a glass cup. One day, while receiving medical treatment for physical pain, he coughed up blood and died in agony on the day of his death. The unit recorded his cause of death simply as natural death, but the commission, based on medical advice, determined that beatings and violence within the unit were the cause of death.
Also, Mr. A, who died by self-harm in the military in 1982, was found to have reported accumulated losses and damages in supplies over several years to his superior as the supply manager before his death. However, the superior shifted responsibility onto Mr. A and forced him to prepare compensation funds. Unable to raise the funds, Mr. A ultimately ended his life by extreme choice.
The unit spread rumors that Mr. A’s death was due to personal issues such as a girlfriend and coerced unit members to give false statements, revealing circumstances of suppressing the truth.
Mr. B, who died by self-harm in 1988 while serving as a guard, was recorded in military records as having died due to an unfortunate family environment, fear of punishment for illegal acts during leave, and a lover’s change of heart. The commission’s investigation confirmed that Mr. B did not have financial difficulties, had no lover, and did not commit any incidents during leave. His senior beat him for ‘not properly training juniors’ and forced him to eat vomit at a unit gathering. The commission’s investigation concluded that Mr. B could no longer endure such harsh treatment and took his own life.
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