South Korea: Army vows to step up safety, medical measures for reservist training following fatal incident
Seoul, July 2
The South Korean Army vowed on Thursday to step up safety and medical measures for regular reservist training, following the death of a reservist during a night drill north of Seoul in May.
After an extensive probe into the case, the Army said the death of the reservist in his 20s was caused by his pre-existing medical conditions unrelated to the training, but vowed efforts to enhance safety steps for such drills.
On May 13, the reservist fell unconscious on his way to a night training site during the three-day reservist training in Pocheon, about 40 kilometres north of Seoul. He died while being transported to a hospital.
The incident sparked widespread criticism of the overall management of reservist training, fueling speculation that instructors pushed ahead with the drills without considering the health conditions of individual participants.
The Army said the investigation found the reservist died of pancreatitis, a pre-existing condition he had been treated for over an extended period.
"We sought professional opinions from two independent forensic consultation agencies and it has been confirmed that the underlying medical condition was directly linked to the cause of the death," an Army official said in a press briefing.
The official denied various rumors surrounding the reservist's death, including speculation that the division commander used a drone to keep tabs on the troops. He said the drones were used to simulate contingencies.
Although the death was determined to be unrelated to the training itself, the Army said it will take this unfortunate incident as a turning point in reforming the reservist drills.
It will have emergency medical teams permanently stationed at all reservist training grounds. It will also pool available medical personnel from relevant divisions and adjacent units, as well as from private medical practices if needed, for large-scale outdoor training, Yonhap news agency reported.
"We will work to fully establish a system by the end of this year to ensure optimal emergency medical care can be provided within the critical 'golden hour,'" the Army said in a release.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The Army admitting fault and promising reforms is a good step. But will they actually follow through? Many promises are made after such incidents, but implementation is key.
As a former Army man, I can say that training is tough for a reason. But health must come first. Having emergency teams stationed at training grounds is a solid move. Hope India's Army also takes note 🇮🇳
Respect to the South Korean Army for being transparent about the investigation. The 'golden hour' medical care target is ambitious but necessary.
One small point of criticism: Why did it take a death to bring these reforms? Preventive measures should have been in place already. But better late than never, I guess.
Must say, the South Korean Army's approach is quite thorough—independent forensic consultations, addressing rumours, and planning reforms. Our Indian forces can learn a thing or two about transparency.
This is a critical reminder for all militaries worldwide. Training is essential, but the safety of personnel should never be compromised.
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