Late soldier's father donates condolence money to Marine unit

K9 self-propelled artillery / Korea Times file

By Lee Min-hyung

The father of a soldier who died during a military drill last month has donated money to a marine unit his son had served.

The father surnamed Lee donated 10 million won ($9,100), half of the condolence money raised during his son’s funeral, to the marine unit in Yeonpyeong Island, SBS news reported on Monday.

The report said Lee visited the unit with the money days after his son’s funeral, and met with the unit’s commanding officer.

The officer offered to set up a tombstone for the late soldier with the money, but Lee declined. Instead, he reportedly asked the officer to use the money for his son’s fellow soldiers.

Lee also donated the rest of the condolence money to the high school and university where his son studied.

Late last month, the Ministry of National Defense said the Marine private first class died due to chest compression while operating the K9 self-propelled artillery.

Following the incident, he was immediately taken to a nearby hospital by a helicopter from the 119 emergency center, but died hours later.

The military is still trying to find the exact cause of his death, but nothing has yet to be confirmed.

Lee said he wants no one to be punished due to the accident.

Lee was especially concerned about his son’s fellow soldiers, as five of the fellow soldiers have been receiving treatment for psychological trauma following the incident.