Marine Corps Sergeant's Fatal Gunshot Incident Investigated On Site... No Evidence of Crime Found

Military Conducts Funeral Procedures at Armed Forces Capital Hospital

According to the military authorities, a field investigation into the fatal gunshot incident at the Marine Corps unit on Daecheong Island in Incheon found no evidence of a crime.

On the 14th, the Marine Corps Command stated that following the incident the previous day, a field investigation and autopsy were conducted in the presence of the bereaved family, a joint military-police investigation team, and the National Human Rights Commission.

Marine Corps special reconnaissance unit conducting maritime infiltration training (unrelated to the article content). Marine Corps

Sergeant A, a transport soldier assigned to the Marine Corps unit on Daecheong Island, Ongjin County, Incheon, was found with a gunshot wound to the forehead in the driver's seat at approximately 7:03 a.m. the previous day while participating in a coastal reconnaissance operation. At the time of discovery, he was in critical condition due to bleeding and was pronounced dead by a public health doctor at 9:01 a.m. during preparations for evacuation.

It was found that Sergeant A was struck by a live round fired from a rifle mounted on the driver's seat. Normally, the magazine carried for reconnaissance operations is loaded with two blank cartridges on top. Only after firing the two blanks can a live round be discharged. However, it was reported that the two blank cartridges had already been removed from the magazine of the rifle in question.

No evidence of a crime has been found so far, and funeral procedures for Sergeant A are currently underway at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital with the consent of the bereaved family. A Marine Corps official stated, "We offer our condolences for the deceased Marine and express our deepest sympathies to the bereaved family," adding, "The military and police investigative authorities will thoroughly investigate the exact cause and circumstances of the incident."