Choo Kyung-ho "Will Do Our Best to Uncover the Truth and Prevent Recurrence"
Lee Jun-seok "President Must Work to Resolve This Issue First"
Lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties who visited the memorial altar of the late recruit Park, who died while undergoing military discipline training (punishment drills) at the Army 12th Division Recruit Training Battalion, expressed their commitment to uncovering the truth and preventing recurrence.
On the afternoon of the 19th, citizens are lining up to pay their respects at the condolence altar set up in front of Yongsan Station in Seoul for the late trainee Park. [Photo by Choi Young-chan]
On the afternoon of the 19th, the memorial altar in Yongsan, Seoul was visited by Chu Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, lawmaker Na Kyung-won, Chu Mi-ae of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Lee Jun-seok of the Reform New Party, among others, regardless of party affiliation. After paying their respects, the lawmakers expressed their sorrow over the recruit’s death and pledged to work towards uncovering the truth and preventing such incidents from happening again.
Park’s mother met with Floor Leader Chu and said, "I cannot tell if the police are siding with the victim or the perpetrator. What I want is the truth to be revealed." She added, "I want nothing else. My child died just nine days after joining the military. If only he is returned to me, I want nothing else." After paying his respects, Floor Leader Chu told reporters, "(The bereaved family) earnestly requested a thorough investigation to uncover the truth." He continued, "I feel deeply sorry and regretful about the tragic military discipline accident that took the life of recruit Park. We will do our utmost to ensure a thorough investigation and prevent recurrence."
Lawmaker Lee said, "It is even more regrettable that such an incident occurred amid the many issues surrounding the Marine Corps special investigation currently underway in the National Assembly." He added, "There are recent problems with military discipline, and above all, the morale of military personnel is declining. The political sphere urgently needs to address and improve this, but the National Assembly, including the National Defense Committee, is at a standstill, so as a politician, I feel a great sense of responsibility." He further emphasized, "Along with last year’s Marine Corps incident at Naeseongcheon, this harsh treatment case at the 12th Division is creating a situation where soldiers and their families cannot trust the state and the military. The President must put aside other matters and make every effort to resolve this issue first."
On the afternoon of the 19th, at the condolence altar set up in front of Yongsan Station in Seoul for the late recruit Park, Na Kyung-won, a member of the People Power Party, wrote a note saying, "I'm sorry we couldn't protect you. We will definitely make changes," after paying her respects. [Photo by Choi Young-chan]
Recruit Park collapsed and died while undergoing punishment drills just nine days after enlisting at the Army 12th Division Recruit Training Battalion in Inje-gun, Gangwon Province. The Gangwon Provincial Police Agency applied charges of abuse of authority, harsh treatment, and professional negligence causing death against Captain Kang Mo, the company commander, and First Lieutenant Nam Mo, the deputy company commander, who are suspected of subjecting recruit Park to harsh treatment, and have requested arrest warrants from the prosecution.
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