On the 25th, Apology via Text... Bereaved Family Outraged at 'Eolcharyeo' Battalion Commander Ahead of Warrant Hearing

Death of Trainee at Army 12th Division Recruit Training Center
Company Commander Who Ordered Punishment Faces Detention, Issues Apology
"What Is the 25th... No Sincerity," Family Members Lament

The company commander, who was the perpetrator in the case of Army trainee Park Mo, who collapsed and died while receiving military discipline training (Eolcharyeo) just nine days after enlistment, apologized to the bereaved family during the police investigation, but the family pointed out that "there is no sincerity." On the 23rd, MBC’s ‘PD Notebook’ revealed a text message sent by the company commander to Park’s mother on the 25th day after the death, who had never apologized to the family since the incident occurred. It was reported that he actively expressed his intention to apologize at the crossroads of detention.

A company commander accused of conducting military discipline training (Eolcharyeo) in violation of regulations related to the death of a recruit in the Army's 12th Division.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In a text message sent to Park’s mother on the 17th of last month, the company commander said, “First, I deeply apologize,” and asked, “I met you at the hospital, and since then, I have not been able to visit you, and I am always full of regret. I would like to meet you once; would that be okay?” Two days later, on the 19th, he said, “I know very well that no words I say will bring comfort. I am truly ashamed,” and added, “I keep reflecting deeply on that day, thinking, ‘If I had made the right judgment then, would this have happened?’ and I am full of remorse and apology.” He continued, “I want to apologize to your son and the bereaved family who silently followed the commander’s orders that violated regulations, and I would be grateful if you could give me the opportunity.”

In response, Park’s mother said, “I think the text came on the day they said they would request an arrest warrant,” and lamented, “I do not believe there is any feeling of remorse or sincerity. What is the 25th day?”

On the morning of the 19th of last month, the graduation ceremony for the new recruits of the 12th Army Division Training Battalion was held at the Inje Gymnasium in Nambuk-ri, Inje-eup, Inje-gun, Gangwon Province. At the entrance of the gymnasium, a memorial space was set up to honor a trainee who recently collapsed and died during military discipline training (physical punishment), where a ceremony attendee is seen offering flowers.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on May 23rd at around 5:20 p.m., six trainees including Park underwent military discipline training at the Army 12th Division Recruit Training Center in Inje, Gangwon Province. This was a harsh training called ‘Eolcharyeo,’ during which Park collapsed and was transported to the hospital but died two days later. The company commander (27, captain) and the deputy company commander (25, first lieutenant), who ordered the military discipline training in violation of regulations and caused the trainee’s death, were indicted and sent to trial in custody on charges of abuse resulting in death and abuse of authority through harsh treatment.

The deputy company commander verbally reported to the company commander that the six trainees had been noisy after the lights-out roll call the previous night, and it is known that he obtained approval for the military discipline training and carried it out. According to the law, before conducting military discipline training, the subjects must fill out a confirmation form to clarify the reasons and provide an opportunity for explanation, but this procedure was not followed. Also, the physical condition of the trainees and the temperature index of the training ground were not properly checked.

The company commander admitted to the police that he violated the military discipline training regulations but denied the order for full combat gear. However, witnesses in the broadcast said, “The news said the full combat gear weighed 26 kg, but that was absolutely not true. An adult man could never carry it alone, so others had to help carry it,” and added, “When Park and his peers had completed about one and a half laps, the company commander said, ‘Do you know why you are receiving Eolcharyeo? You challenged the authority of the company commander.’” Witnesses also claimed that when Park collapsed during the military discipline training and could not get up, the company commander shouted, “Get up quickly. Because of you, the others can’t go.”