Attendance of witnesses for the National Assembly... Explanation: ‘The number of troops has been reduced, but safety inspection tasks have been increased.’
Opposition lawmakers criticize, “You put your subordinates’ lives in danger and you still haven’t reflected on it”
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Cheol-seon = Former Army 1st Corps Commander (Lieutenant General) Han Ki-seong, who caused controversy over the 'empty gun alert' by issuing guidelines for 'non-loaded ammunition' during alert operations at frontline posts (GPs) and general outposts (GOPs), appeared as a witness at the National Assembly audit and claimed, "There were no problems with preparedness at all."
A former corps commander made this statement while attending the National Defense Committee's audit of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on this day. Former corps commander Han has been excluded from his duties since last August when the controversy over the empty gun border emerged.
First, a former corps commander said, “I am sorry for causing concern to the public with our issue.”
However, a former corps commander said, "I don't think the term 'empty gun' is appropriate," and explained, "The cartridge containing the bullets was attached to the firearm (common firearm), but the difference was that the first shot was placed so that it did not get caught in the cartridge section."
The explanation is that the cartridge itself was connected to the K6 and K4 heavy machine guns, but the actual bullets were not connected to the heavy machine guns. In this case, to actually shoot, you must open the cover of the heavy machine gun, load the first bullet into the heavy machine gun, close the cover again, and pull the loading handle back and forth to load.
A former corps commander claimed that although the principle of front-line security operations is to use bombs, the guidelines were changed to ensure operational conditions, including lack of manpower in front-line security units.
He said, “GP troops have decreased significantly, but with the introduction of remote operation systems such as KR6 and KR4, the number of firearms has increased, and the need for equipment safety inspection has increased.”
A former corps commander said that he took this action after discussing with his staff and collecting opinions from subordinate units, but did not report it separately to the Army Ground Operations Command, a superior unit.
People Power Party lawmakers criticized a former corps commander for putting the lives of soldiers on the front lines at risk by keeping an empty gun guard, but not reflecting on it.
Rep. Lim Jong-deuk pointed out, "The K6 heavy machine gun fires 10 rounds per second, and even if it takes just one second to disarm, the lives of our subordinates are exposed to danger. They are still not reflecting. Military discipline has completely collapsed."
Rep. Seong Il-jong also criticized, saying, "When the enemy approaches the GP, we must immediately respond quickly and accurately. Is that possible when a rifle bullet does not work?" and added, "The public will not accept the excuse that General Han makes."
Regarding the controversy over the 1st Corps' 'empty gun guard', Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Jin Young-seung explained, "There was a problem, and we issued an order to correct the problem. Currently, all units are maintaining the spat ammunition."
