By Jung Sung-ki
Staff reporter
An Air Force captain died at a hospital in Seoul Wednesday from injuries he suffered when a Navy boat capsized, the Ministry of National Defense said.
The captain, identified only by his surname Lee, was one of the 15 passengers aboard a naval boat out for a joy ride in waters off Taean, South Chungcheong Province, Monday.
The rigid-inflatable boat (RIB), which is used by special forces on military infiltration missions, overturned, leaving Lee and another passenger unconscious.
Lee suffered lung injuries, according to hospital officials. The other victim, the wife of an Air Force lieutenant colonel, sustained skull fractures.
The incident has sparked criticism against the Navy's slack discipline, as the naval boat was used for personal purposes at a time when the nation's military has been placed on an alert in the wake of the sinking of the Navy ship Cheonan in the West Sea in March.
Investigators found that a Navy captain allegedly ordered his subordinate officer to arrange the ride for his family members and colleagues.
The two Navy officers have been relieved of their post, the ministry said.