Minister of National Defense Shin Kyubeak announced on September 11 that, in response to a series of recent training accidents in military units, he received reports and ordered a thorough investigation and the establishment of countermeasures.
According to the Ministry of National Defense, Minister Shin was briefed directly by the Army and Air Force Chiefs of Staff on the morning of September 11 regarding the accidents that occurred during training the previous day. Minister Shin instructed that the causes of these incidents must be thoroughly investigated and clarified, emphasizing the need to break away from the inertia of viewing such accidents as inevitable occurrences within the military. He also called for proactive measures to ensure that service members are not injured again in the future.
In addition, he urged that every possible support be provided not only for the treatment of the injured service members but also for their families, stressing the importance of taking full responsibility until the end.
The previous day, at an Army artillery unit in Jeokseong-myeon, Paju, an explosion occurred during non-firing training when a special effects shell designed to simulate firing sounds and smoke detonated, injuring 10 service members. Six of them, including two who were seriously injured, are receiving intensive burn treatment at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital. On the same day, at an Air Force base in Jeju Island, a practice landmine fuse exploded during reservist training, resulting in seven people sustaining minor injuries such as abrasions and tinnitus.
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