12th Division Trainee's Mother: "Harsh Treatment... Should Apply Injury Resulting in Death Charges to Company Commander"

"Concerns That Remaining Trainees Are Not Being Neglected"

Last month, a trainee at the Army Eulji Unit (12th Division) died while undergoing military discipline training (Eolcharyeo), and the family of the trainee has called for punishment of the perpetrator.

On the 3rd, Ms. A, the mother of a trainee belonging to the 12th Division, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "I spoke with my son (who is in the division) yesterday," sharing the atmosphere within the division. Ms. A said, "From what I heard from my son, they are not doing much other training, only training indoors, and it seems they are freely allowing breaks," adding, "It feels like they are fixing the stable after losing the cow, but they are not doing anything special." She continued, "He said they are only receiving easy training, so I don't know what kind of proper training they are getting," and added, "The kids always say they are okay, but I worry whether they are really okay or if the military is enforcing them to say so."

Ms. A also expressed concern about the condition of five trainees who underwent Eolcharyeo with the deceased trainee. She said, "My son is not in the same barracks, so when I asked if he heard anything, he said, 'They are probably living just like us,'" and added, "I worry that the remaining trainees are just being neglected."

Ms. A then shared detailed information about the day of the fatal accident as told by her son. She said, "When I asked what training they received that day, he said they had combat casualty care training outside," adding, "The weather was very hot, and they stood continuously. Since they were treating casualties, they had to drag and move friends lying down, so it was physically demanding training." Ms. A added, "Some trainees went to receive military discipline immediately after training."

In particular, Ms. A criticized the military discipline training, saying, "It is not training but cruel treatment," and stated, "If the deceased trainee's leg ligaments were completely torn and muscles were melting, this is not training but torture." She continued, "If there was no intent, it is difficult to apply murder charges, but at least the company commander should be punished for charges such as injury resulting in death."

Earlier, on the 23rd of last month at around 5:20 p.m., one of six trainees undergoing military discipline training at a unit in Inje, Gangwon Province, collapsed and was taken to a hospital but ultimately died two days later on the 25th. At that time, the trainee was reportedly carrying a full combat load, running around the parade ground, and even doing push-ups. As a result, the trainee showed symptoms suspected of 'rhabdomyolysis,' including torn leg ligament muscles turning dark blue and black urine.

The Gangwon Provincial Police Agency received the case from the Army and is investigating the company commander and deputy company commander on charges of professional negligence causing death and abuse of authority involving cruel treatment.