Why Did a Rusty Grenade Appear on the Jirisan Hiking Trail?

A rusted grenade discovered by a hiker at the 1.2km point of the Dongneung trail on Manbokdae, Jirisan. [Image source=Seobugyeongnam Newspaper]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Why was a lethal weapon like a grenade found there?

On the 11th, a citizen hiking Jirisan discovered a rusty grenade at the 1.2 km point of Manbokdae East Ridge.

The administrative area of the discovery site was reported to be Dalgung, Sannae-myeon, Namwon-si, Jeonbuk. Manbokdae is a peak offering an outstanding view of the main ridge of Jirisan 100-ri, which stretches from Nogodan to Banyabong and Cheonwangbong.

Looking back, the Jirisan area was a battleground for the suppression of partizan guerrillas after liberation.

From October 1948 after the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident until around the Korean War, leftist guerrilla partizans seeking the communization of South Korea and the military and police forces trying to suppress them faced each other’s gun barrels in a tragic chapter of the nation’s history.

The mountain holds the pain of residents who were victims in the chase and battle between the military and police suppression units and the partizans, representing the conflict between left and right.

The discovered grenade was an ‘MK2’ model, a grenade used during World War II and the Korean War. It was a weapon used by the Republic of Korea Army.

The grenade discovery was reported through photos shared on SNS between a citizen from the Hamyang area and an acquaintance who went hiking.

A police official said, “Although many years have passed, due to the potential risk of explosion, the discoverer should notify the police or military units so that explosive ordnance disposal measures can be taken.”

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