On November 19, during a training exercise at a front-line Army unit, a mortar shell deviated approximately 600 meters and injured a civilian who was working in a field.
According to the military, the incident occurred in the morning at a unit located in Yanggu, Gangwon Province, during an 81mm mortar firing drill. The shell landed in a field about 600 meters away from the intended target area.
At the time of the accident, around 20 civilians were engaged in farming work in the field. One of them was struck by shrapnel from the mortar shell, sustaining a laceration near the eyebrow. The injured person was transported to a hospital, received stitches, and is reported to be in stable condition with no life-threatening injuries.
On the afternoon of November 23 last year, soldiers of the 50th Army Division conducted maritime mortar firing training at Hwajin Training Ground in Songra-myeon, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do. 50th Army Division, Yonhap News Agency
The military is currently investigating the exact cause of the accident. There is a possibility that the incident occurred due to an error in the process of loading the propellant charge, which is the gunpowder used in the mortar.
The Army stated that it had notified residents of the firing drill schedule one week in advance and had implemented safety measures on the day of the exercise, including issuing warning broadcasts and deploying sentries before the firing began.
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