South Korean soldier opens fire in military barracks, 4 killed

South Korean soldier opens fire in military barracks, 4 killed

2011-07-04 20:12:14 GMT+7 (ICT)

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (BNO NEWS) -- A South Korean soldier on Monday opened fire inside military barracks and killed four soldiers before being detained, officials said.

The shooting spree took place at around 11:50 a.m. local time at the barracks located on South Korea's Ganghwa Island, which corresponds to the Marine Second Division, Marine Corps officials told the Korea Herald.

The shooter was identified as 19-year-old Corporal Kim, who used a K-2 assault rifle, which is used by the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, and was injured during the attack from the shrapnel of a grenade explosion. During the incident, a staff sergeant, two corporals and a lance corporal were killed. In addition to Kim, a private first class was also injured, but reports said both were not in critical condition.

Colonel Kim Tae-eun told the media outlet that an investigative team was set up to look into the incident. He also made a public apology for the incident, adding that military officials would increase security measures and that they would work on boosting the soldiers' morale.

A series of recent incidents have surrounded the South Korean military. On June 15, a Marine corporal apparently committed suicide by a self-inflicted gunshot wound with a K-2 rifle. The Marine was stationed on Bangnyeong Island and killed himself during his morning patrol.

Only two days later, two South Korean soldiers stationed at the Gyodong Island in Incheon, 80 kilometers (49 miles) west of Seoul, opened fired against an Asiana Airlines passenger plane. On June 20, Colonel Lee Bung-woo, a spokesman at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, publicly apologized for the incident.

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