|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
. | ![]() |
. |
|
![]() |
![]() by Staff Writers Seoul (AFP) Aug 04, 2014
South Korean Defence Minister Han Min-Koo apologised Monday and the presidential Blue House urged a full inquiry following the death of a bullied young army conscript. "I extend my sincere apology," Han told parliament, describing the death of the 23-year-old private as "an incident that should not happen in a civilised society in the 21st century". Five soldiers have been arrested on manslaughter charges after an initial investigation showed the private, surnamed Yoon, had been repeatedly bullied. The five were allegedly involved in an assault on Yoon in April, during which he was struck in the chest, causing a chunk of food to get lodged in his airway. He died of asphyxiation. The case came on the back of two separate suicides by army privates last month, and a deadly shooting spree in June in which a sergeant killed five members of his unit for taunting him. Investigators found Yoon had been the target of regular bullying and assaults, including sessions of crude water-boarding. He had also been forced to eat a tube of toothpaste and lick the spit of other soldiers from the ground. Investigators are also looking into allegations he was sexually molested. President Park Geun-Hye's office called for a thorough investigation as public concern grew over barrack-room bullying. "Priority must be put on ensuring a similar incident will not happen again," presidential spokesman Min Kyung-Wook told reporters. Bullying has long tainted South Korea's military service, which is mandatory for all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 35. Conscripts, most in their early twenties, account for the lion's share of the military's 690,000 active personnel. Experts say the pressures facing the young servicemen can be daunting when, after what is often quite a cosseted childhood and teenaged youth, they are suddenly plunged into a world of harsh military discipline.
Related Links Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
|
![]() |
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2014 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service. |