Seoul National University and Konkuk University Student Communities Criticize
Comparisons Made Between Trainee's Death and Pubao's Return
"The State of the Nation is Ridiculous... They Cried So Much When Pubao Left"
Public opinion among netizens is intensifying regarding the incident in which a trainee died while undergoing 'military discipline training (physical punishment)' at the Army's 12th Infantry Division Recruit Training Center.
On the 28th, a post titled "The state of the country is ridiculous" was uploaded on Seoul National University's Everytime (Eta) platform, receiving 160 likes. This community requires verification as a Seoul National University student to access. The author, A, a current student at Seoul National University, began by saying, "When PubaO was returning to China, people cried a lot, but when a trainee dies from torture, they just say 'he died because he was physically weak.'"
A expressed a cynical reaction, saying, "They compensate the families of those who died in Itaewon, but the compensation for those who died defending the country is less than half of that," and added, "Living in a country safer than any other, people say it is too dangerous for women and refuse to have children, yet claim that national defense duty is fulfilled through childbirth."
A Seoul National University student speaking about the trainee death incident. Please note that the profanity has been censored. [Photo by Seoul National University Everytime]
On the 28th, a similar post was uploaded on Konkuk University's Everytime. The author, B, said, "Korea values a panda going to China more than the lives of soldiers," and added, "South Korea is a country that does not mourn even if 100 soldiers die. When PubaO went home, the whole neighborhood was in tears, but no one cares about this trainee's death."
The National Human Rights Commission Announces It Will Conduct an Ex Officio Investigation After Review
PubaO is Korea's first naturally bred giant panda born at Everland in Yongin, and last month boarded a plane to China for breeding purposes. Following news about PubaO, various online communities and social networking services (SNS) posted concerns about PubaO's trip to China. On the 27th, fans outraged by allegations that PubaO was being used for private receptions held a truck protest near the Chinese Embassy.
Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) announced that it will review the trainee death case on the 4th of next month and, if resolved, will proceed with an ex officio investigation. An ex officio investigation is conducted without a victim's complaint when there is evidence of human rights violations or discriminatory acts, and the matter is deemed serious.
The deceased trainee collapsed around 5:20 p.m. on the 23rd while undergoing military discipline training with five other trainees at the 12th Division training center in Inje, Gangwon Province. He was transferred to a hospital but died two days later. According to military discipline training regulations, trainees are only allowed to walk while fully equipped, but it is reported that they were ordered to run, including running in order of arrival. The Army completed a joint civilian-military investigation into the trainee's death and on the 28th referred the case to Gangwon police, charging the company commander and deputy company commander with involuntary manslaughter due to negligence and abuse of authority through harsh treatment.
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