Ganghwa Island shooting

Ganghwa Island shooting
Location Ganghwa County, South Korea
Date July 4, 2011 (2011-07-04)
Target South Korean marines
Attack type
 Mass shooting
Deaths 4
Perpetrator Corporal Kim, ROKMC

The Ganghwa Island shooting occurred on July 4, 2011 at 11:50 a.m. at a coastal base in Ganghwa County when a South Korean marine corporal identified only as Kim assigned to the South Korean 2nd Marine Division went on a shooting spree towards his team with a K-2 rifle and later attempted a suicide with a grenade.[1] The assault was carried out in a barracks, killing four soldiers while injuring another. Three were killed on the spot while the fourth died after being taken to the hospital.[2] One of the fatalities was an officer while the rest were rank-and-file soldiers.[3] The victims included the cousin of South Korean actor, Im Hyeok-pil.[4]

Issues

The South Korean marine corps formed a task force to investigate the rampage. This came amid claims of sexual harassment, hazing, extortion in the hierarchies, and violence that are happening within the South Korean marine corps' barracks.[5][6] The problems have been happening for years and they were blamed for the recurring shooting incidents. In June 2005, for instance, a young soldier threw a grenade and fired at his sleeping teammates in a guard post at Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province. The shooting, where eight soldiers died, was also linked to bullying behavior by senior officers.[7]

There are also claims that the tension with North Korea is taking its toll on the soldiers stationed near the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone.[3] Like many marine stations on the country's front-line islands, Ganghwa is within striking distance of North Korea. A year before, one of such islands was attacked, leading to the death of four people, including two marines.

Criticism

Actor, Im Hyeok-pil criticized many of the South Korean politicians who evaded their conscription service for taking roles in resolving the shooting incident.[4]

Impact on policies

The authorities of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps announced to execute a 100-day program to promote the healthy and safe military culture within the military barracks.[8] There is also plan to discharge marines who perpetuated acts of violence and to transfer them to other bases.[9]

See also

  • Gisu Yeolwe – South Korean version of hazing in the military

References

  1. ↑ "S Korean marine 'kills four on Ganghwa island base'". BBC News. 2011-07-04. Retrieved 2011-07-28.
  2. ↑ Lee, Tae-Hoon (2011-07-05). "Marine Corps shooting spree kills 4 soldiers". koreatimes. Retrieved 2018-07-22.
  3. 1 2 "South Korean marine kills four in shooting spree". The Independent. Retrieved 2018-07-22.
  4. 1 2 "임혁필 총기사고 심경 고백 "군대도 다녀오지 않은 정치인들이..."". MBN Maeil Bangsong (in Korean). 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2011-08-01.
  5. ↑ Lee (이), Sun-hyeok (순혁) (2011-07-12). "11년전 목맨 일병 기억 생생…당했단 얘기 돌았다". The Hankyeoreh (in Korean). Retrieved 2011-07-28.
  6. ↑ Kwak (곽), Jae-hun (재훈) (2011-07-14). "해병대, 억지로 벌레 먹이고 자위행위까지 강요". Pressian (in Korean). Retrieved 2011-07-28.
  7. ↑ "S Korean marine 'shoots comrades'". BBC News. 2011-07-04. Retrieved 2018-07-22.
  8. ↑ Kim (김), Yeon-suk (연숙) (2011-07-07). "해병대 '병영문화혁신 100일 작전' 돌입". Yonhap News (in Korean). Retrieved 2011-07-28.
  9. ↑ Kim (김), Dae-u (대우) (2011-07-18). "해병대, 가혹행위 병사 '빨간명찰' 떼고 퇴출". Heraldbiz.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2011-07-28.
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