Police have questioned two Army company commanders over the death of a trainee soldier following a session of demanding disciplinary training last month, officials said Friday.
The suspects are accused of ordering a disciplinary session for six recruits at a unit in Inje County, 126 kilometers northeast of Seoul, on May 23, in violation of relevant training rules, resulting in the death of one conscript.
The soldier was taken to a civilian hospital after collapsing during the training but died two days later.
The cause of his death was found to be multiple organ failure due to septic shock, according to the Center for Military Human Rights Korea.
The recruit, who joined the Army on May 13, was reportedly ordered to run around the unit’s training ground and do push-ups in full combat gear, despite relevant rules banning such demanding training in full gear.
The Gangwon Provincial Police said they brought in the company commander and deputy commander for questioning on Thursday as suspects over suspicions
of causing death by occupational negligence and abuse of authority.
It was the first time they have been questioned as suspects.
Details of the questioning have not been made available.
Source: Yonhap News Agency