Military units to face inspection following firearms-related deaths, accidents
An ambulance passes a guardhouse after an explosion occurred at an Army artillery unit in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Sept. 10. Yonhap
The defense ministry said Monday it will carry out a special inspection of all military units this month following firearms-related deaths and accidents at the armed services.
The inspection, which will run from Tuesday through Sept. 30, will be aimed at preventing possible accidents at the military, safely managing firearms and explosives as well as checking troops' mental health.
All military units and civilian employees at the military are subject to the inspection in accordance with an order by Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back.
Last month, an Army sergeant first class at a front-line guard post died by suicide with his rifle, while 10 people were injured after an explosion at an Army artillery unit in the northern border city of Paju, Gyeonggi Province, on Wednesday.
A Marine Corps sergeant died after being shot in the head at a unit on the island off the country's west coast Sunday.