The South Korean soldier who killed five members of his unit in Goseong has been captured after a failed suicide attempt, defense officials say.
The soldier, identified only as Im, shot himself in the side and was being sent to hospital, they said.
Sgt. Im’s capture ends a tense stand-off in a forest near his outpost by the border with North Korea.
On Saturday evening Sergeant Im shot and threw a grenade at fellow soldiers before fleeing with his rifle.
Sgt. Im’s capture ends a tense stand-off in a forest near his outpost by the border with North Korea (photo AP)
Seven others were injured in the attack but are expected to live. It is not clear what was the motive behind his attack.
The incident sparked a massive manhunt, with thousands of troops deployed to block possible escape routes, guard the border between North Korea and South Korea, and protect areas where civilians live, officials said.
Sgt. Im at one point exchanged fire with troops. One soldier was injured, reportedly from friendly fire.
He was eventually cornered on Sunday in a forest in the eastern Gangwon province. His family was brought to the area to persuade him to turn himself in.
Yonhap news agency quoted an army officer as saying that Sgt. Im was in tears as he spoke to his father and brother.
Troops were reportedly so close to Sgt. Im that they could toss him a mobile phone as well as food supplies.
Yonhap earlier quoted an official as saying Sgt. Im had “difficulties” adapting to military life. He was due to be discharged in three months.
There have been similar incidents in South Korea’s military, which operates a conscription system under which all men must serve two years. Bullying and mental health problems have been blamed for previous attacks.
South Korean soldiers are engaged in a shootout with a sergeant who shot dead five colleagues and fled his post near North Korea’s border, reports say.
The conscript soldier exchanged gunfire with troops seeking to capture him near a school in the border town of Goseong, Gangwon province, Yonhap reported.
It is not clear why the sergeant, identified only by his surname, Lim, opened fire on Saturday.
There have been similar shooting cases in the South Korean army in the past.
South Korean soldiers are engaged in a shootout with Sgt. Lim who shot dead five colleagues and fled his post near North Korea’s border
Sgt. Lim shot fellow members of his 22nd infantry division in the remote guard post and then escaped with his rifle and some ammunition, army officials said.
Seven other troops were injured in the incident, but are expected to survive.
Thousands of troops were deployed to block possible escape routes, guard the border between North Korea and South Korea, and protect areas where civilians live, officials said.
Guarding the demilitarized zone, which divides the two Koreas, is considered one of the toughest jobs for military conscripts.
Sgt Lim “threw a grenade and then opened fire” after completing his day shift, Yonhap reported.
He was armed with a semi-automatic K2 rifle, which is similar to an M16 and is one of the standard South Korean army rifles, officials said.
An officer said Sgt. Lim “was on the list of those who require special attention, as he had difficulties in adapting to the military life,” the South Korean news agency reported, adding that he had been due to be discharged in three months.
The defense ministry spokesman said the incident was “regrettable”, adding: “We truly apologize for causing concern to the nation.”
There have been similar incidents in South Korea’s military, which operates under a conscription system. Bullying and mental problems have been blamed for previous attacks.
Tens of thousands of soldiers from both North Korea and South Korea are stationed along their joint border, one of the most heavily fortified in the world.
Five South Korean soldiers have been shot dead by one of their comrades.
The 19-year-old injured five more soldiers and fled from an outpost near the border with North Korea, officials say.
The army private opened fire on fellow soldiers on Saturday evening at a post in the eastern Gangwon province.
Tens of thousands of soldiers from both North Korea and South Korea are stationed along their joint border
It is not yet clear what motivated him to kill his colleagues. A man hunt is now under way.
Tensions between North Korea and South Korea have been high, but there is no sign this was a cross-border incident.
“He shot dead five fellow soldiers, wounded five others and then fled the scene with his rifle and ammunition,” an army spokesman was quoted by news agency AFP as saying.
The shooting took place at an army unit near the border town of Goseong, according to South Korean news agency, Yonhap.
Tens of thousands of soldiers from both North Korea and South Korea are stationed along their joint border, one of the most heavily fortified in the world.
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