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A private who went on a killing spree at a guard post in the DMZ on Sunday attempted to escape south of the civilian control line (CCL) after killing his entire platoon including the commander and blowing up facilities, it was disclosed Thursday.
Investigators headed by Col. Yoon Jong-sung announced the outcome of their inquiry flanked by surviving soldiers from the unit including the guard post commander 1st Lt. Lee In-sung.
Investigations revealed it took Pfc. Kim Dong-min two or three minutes -- not seven as originally announced -- to return to the barracks after he lobbed a grenade inside and went on a shooting spree with his rifle. Investigators said there were so many corporals among the dead because they accounted for more than half the 26-member unit. The rest were eight privates first class, two privates second class and two sergeants.
Survivors said there were no beatings to goad Kim into running amok, only verbal abuse and sexual innuendo. There had been suspicion that the shooting started before Kim threw the grenade, but investigators stood by their finding that Kim threw one grenade and then fired 44 rifle shots.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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