Trainee soldier dies two days after fainting during military drill

Korean army soldiers participate in a training in a military base in Gyeonggi on Thursday. [YONHAP]

A trainee soldier died on Saturday, two days after he fainted during a pack drill on Thursday.
 
According to the Korean Army on Sunday, the soldier who collapsed during military training in Gangwon on Thursday around 5:20 p.m. was pronounced dead on Saturday. Although he was transferred to a hospital for treatment, his condition worsened, the Army said.
 
Pack drill refers to military training intended to nurture the spirit and mentality of combatants. In the past, it was often dubbed “physical discipline.” The Korean military no longer officially uses this expression.
 
The soldier was from an army division based in Inje, Gangwon. The Army said that six conscripts received the training on Thursday.
 
The military authorities and police are “thoroughly investigating whether such training was ordered in due course” by looking into the circumstances under which the training was ordered and the specific types of commands given during the disciplinary actions.
 
The authorities expressed condolences for the loss and said they will provide support to the bereaved families.  
 
Recently, casualties have occurred in the Korean Army, following a grenade explosion last Tuesday that killed a trainee soldier and injured a platoon commander in Sejong. 
 
Also, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials is conducting a probe into military’s internal investigation on the death of Marine Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who drowned during a search and rescue mission last summer, focusing on whether there was an abuse of power. . 
 
 

BY LEE KEUN-PYUNG, LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]