Only Three Chrysanthemum Flowers Left... No Mourning at the Graduation Ceremony Before the Deceased Trainee's Unit

"Son's Graduation Ceremony as the Next in Line to Fallen Soldier"
"Mourning Atmosphere, Only Tables Without Guidance"

Amid reports of a trainee's death during disciplinary training (military drill) at the Army's 12th Division, claims have emerged that there was no mourning at the graduation ceremony of the preceding class of the deceased trainee.

On the 30th, a post titled "Recent Status of the 12th Division Graduation Ceremony Where a Trainee Died During Disciplinary Training" was uploaded on an online community. The author, Mr. A, is a father of a trainee at the 12th Division's Recruit Training Battalion and recently posted on a trainee-related community called "The Camp," stating, "I attended the (12th Division Recruit Training Battalion) graduation ceremony."

He explained, "On May 29, I attended the graduation ceremony of my son, who was in the class immediately before the soldier who died in the line of duty in the 12th Division," adding, "There was absolutely no atmosphere of mourning, and in front of the Eulji Mundeok statue at the center of the parade ground, there was only one table without any notice or sign."

On the morning of the 30th, a funeral ceremony is being held for a trainee who collapsed during a disciplinary training exercise and passed away two days later, at an outdoor space of a funeral hall in Naju-si, Jeollanam-do.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

He continued, "My wife and I offered a single chrysanthemum flower each in prayer for eternal rest in heaven and attended my son's graduation ceremony," adding, "Until the ceremony ended, there were only three chrysanthemum flowers in total. It felt heartless."

Mr. A said, "The innocent junior class soldiers marched into the parade ground where the trainee had collapsed a few days ago, singing military songs vigorously. The attending families cheered and clapped. Of course, I did too, but I got goosebumps for a moment," expressing, "It was partly because the trainee was brave, but I felt ashamed and embarrassed about what the adults were doing."

He also claimed, "Throughout the graduation ceremony, not a single word of mourning for the soldier who died in the line of duty was spoken by the division commander, battalion commander, or the event host."

A's post claiming their child is the recruit trainee in front of the new training center, posted on a community [Image source=Online community capture]

Mr. A said, "After the ceremony, during a visit and leave, my son made me promise. He told me never to intervene, to just lie down if he was sick or in pain, and to report any unfair orders," emphasizing, "This is the military service creed that a father commands his son."

Earlier, on the 23rd, at the 12th Division Recruit Training Battalion, six trainees were undergoing disciplinary training when one showed suspected symptoms of rhabdomyolysis. His condition worsened, and he ultimately passed away two days later on the 25th. At that time, the company commander and others reportedly ordered the trainees to walk 1.5 km fully equipped with military gear and perform push-ups, among other commands.

The military authorities have determined that two officers, including the company commander who ordered the disciplinary training, bear significant negligence (charges of professional negligence causing death and abuse of authority through harsh treatment) leading to the trainee's death. On the 28th, the case was transferred to the Gangwon Provincial Police Agency, the jurisdictional police authority.