This Time, Gambling Ping Pong Leads to Assault Between National Guard Officers and Soldiers

The Forensic Excavation Team where the incident occurred [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] An incident occurred in a Ministry of National Defense direct unit where a non-commissioned officer (NCO) assaulted a soldier after playing gambling-style table tennis.

According to the Ministry of National Defense on the 24th, Sergeant A, belonging to the Ministry of National Defense Remains Recovery Unit (hereafter referred to as the Guk-yu-dan), a direct unit of the Ministry of National Defense, played table tennis on the 9th with a soldier, betting money ranging from 30,000 to 100,000 won. However, when Sergeant A lost the bet, he assaulted Corporal B.

A military official stated, "Although no actual money was exchanged between the NCO and the soldier at the time, since there was an assault, the military investigation authorities are currently investigating."

Recently, with incidents such as 'insubordination' and 'sexual harassment' occurring one after another in the military, comprehensive military discipline issues have come under scrutiny, raising concerns that even the morale of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces personnel performing missions to protect the public could be undermined.

On the 1st of this month, a corporal in an Army unit in Gyeonggi Province assaulted a female company commander with a field shovel while expressing dissatisfaction about the difficulty of work. The military prosecution has detained the corporal on charges of special injury to a superior and is investigating.

Earlier, four NCOs serving in an Army unit in Chungbuk Province were booked on charges of inappropriate physical contact (forcible molestation) after visiting the quarters of a superior officer of the rank of captain. The military police are considering applying charges not only for forcible molestation but also for insulting a superior under the Military Criminal Act.

A lieutenant belonging to an Army unit in Gyeonggi Province was investigated on the 15th of this month around 1 a.m. for molesting a civilian woman at a karaoke near the unit. It was reported that an active-duty Army private, who was an accomplice in the Telegram 'Doctor's Room' where sexual exploitation materials were produced and distributed, participated in the crime even during service, revealing the 'side effects' of soldiers' use of mobile phones.

On the 12th of this month, a private from an Army unit in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, deserted and was caught at a motel in Seoul. It is known that he was carrying a weapon at the time of arrest. The military police have detained the private on charges of desertion and are investigating the motive for the crime.

Minister of National Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo warned through Command Letter No. 11, issued to the entire military on the 11th, stating, "Some acts that disrupt discipline have occurred," and "There must never be any actions that disturb military discipline." Minister Jeong's command letter was issued to correct military discipline related to recent incidents and accidents such as new types of digital sex crimes and sexual harassment by NCOs and officers.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.