A realtive of a victim of a South Korean army private who went on a shooting spree is soothed by her friends June 20.

The attack by 22-year-old Pfc. Kim Dong Min happened as many of his colleagues were asleep near the heavily militarized border in Yeoncheon, 70 km north of Seoul.

Kim told military investigators he threw the grenade out of anger when he saw a senior soldier who had often verbally abused him. Five soldiers died in the explosion and another three were killed when Kim then took a rifle from a fellow soldier and fired some 40 shots.

South Korea's Defense Minister Yoon Kwang Woong issued an apology, and the army said it would conduct a close inspection of all units to prevent such incidents happening again.

Most South Korean men have to serve for about 26 months in the military, the draft being seen as crucial to defense against North Korea.

The Japan Times Weekly: June 25, 2005
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