South Korean soldier accidentally fires live round at DMZ guard post
![A guard post in Goseong County, Gangwon, on May 3, 2020 [NEWS1]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12333099.webp?imageId=12333099&width=960&height=642&format=jpg)
A South Korean soldier accidentally fired a machine gun at a front-line guard post (GP) along the central demilitarized zone, military authorities confirmed Sunday.
The incident occurred around 6 a.m. on April 23 at a GP operated by a unit in Cheorwon County, Gangwon. The soldier, assigned to guard duty, fired a live round from a K6 heavy machine gun while inspecting the weapon.
The bullet pierced a protective door and flew toward the North. Military officials believe the round, slowed after hitting the door, landed near the GP on the South Korean side.
The military immediately broadcast a warning to the North to notify them of the accidental firing.
"No unusual movements by North Korean forces have been detected," a military official said.
A similar accident took place in January 2023, when a soldier at a GP in Cheorwon, Gangwon, mistakenly fired four rounds from a K6 machine gun during a training exercise.
Translated from the JoongAng Ilbo using generative AI and edited by Korea JoongAng Daily staff.
BY CHO MUN-GYU [[email protected]]
