[2022 National Audit] 'Anachronistic' Showy Event Injures Only 9 Soldiers

October 1 Armed Forces Day Ceremony, 9 Injured During Unit Event Preparations
Jeonyonggi "Non-Combat Loss Occurred"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] It was confirmed belatedly that nine soldiers preparing for a unit event at the Armed Forces Day ceremony on the 1st were injured.

On the 14th, the office of Rep. Jeon Yong-gi of the Democratic Party of Korea stated in a press release, "Nine soldiers were injured while preparing for the Armed Forces Day ceremony on October 1st this year."

According to official confirmation through the Ministry of National Defense by Rep. Jeon's office, it was confirmed that members of the 707 Special Mission Group, renowned as South Korea's elite counter-terrorism special forces, sustained injuries such as fractures during the landing process while training for a high-altitude parachute jump demonstration. A Ministry of National Defense official reportedly explained that the injuries occurred due to irregular factors such as wind during the jump.

However, Rep. Jeon's office pointed out that although accidents during parachute training are not uncommon given the nature of special forces that must infiltrate enemy rear areas during wartime, it is difficult to accept that non-combat losses occurred for a one-day demonstration event.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

There were also cases of injuries during special martial arts demonstration practice in the 1st Special Forces Brigade and the 2nd Corps. It is known that injuries during special martial arts demonstrations, which involve many flashy moves, are quite common. However, earlier this year during the Armed Forces Day event, an active-duty sergeant expressed on an internet community that it was unfortunate that injuries occurred repeatedly due to demonstration events. Consequently, some argue that unnecessary non-combat losses caused by event preparations unrelated to the primary mission are a national loss.

Rep. Jeon Yong-gi criticized, "Non-combat losses occurred due to an anachronistic demonstration-style event reminiscent of the military dictatorship era," and asked, "Is sacrificing soldiers for the president's spectacle the strong defense that President Yoon Suk-yeol proposed?"

In response, the Ministry of National Defense spokesperson's office issued a rebuttal statement explaining, "There were personnel injured during this Armed Forces Day event; two have completed treatment, and seven are recovering after treatment."

The spokesperson's office stated, "Special martial arts and high-altitude parachuting have been conducted at past events as well, carried out to enhance the capabilities of our special forces and to demonstrate the strength of the armed forces." They also added, "By showing the public the usual training of special forces personnel, it not only boosts soldier morale but also contributes to enhancing public trust. This event has been held multiple times in the past."

They emphasized, "Therefore, the criticism that this is an 'anachronistic demonstration-style event reminiscent of the military dictatorship era' is unfounded, and the remark that 'unnecessary losses occurred during an event unrelated to the military's primary mission' lowers the morale of the special forces personnel who participated in the event."

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