President Yoon Calls for Accountability in Death of Reservist

President Yoon Suk Yeol on June 2 expressed his condolences regarding the recent death of a reservist, urging authorities to conduct a thorough and swift investigation into the incident and to transparently share the findings with the public.

During a Cabinet meeting and emergency economic assessment session at the Blue House, President Yoon stated, "If there are responsibilities that need to be addressed, they must be dealt with strictly."

He noted that there have been numerous concerns raised about recent reservist training and the training of soldiers at military bases, including issues such as inadequate medical personnel and emergency equipment during training exercises, as well as outdated military practices that could be harmful.

"I extend my deepest condolences to those who have suffered unjust harm as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces," he said.

President Yoon emphasized that the principle of prioritizing citizens' rights and safety applies equally to the military, stating, "It is the duty of the state to ensure that the rights of young soldiers, who dedicate their precious youth for the sake of the national community, are fully protected without any gaps."

He urged a thorough examination of whether an outdated perception that soldiers' rights can be overlooked still exists within the military, adding that training practices that do not consider the condition of soldiers or the situation on the ground need to be improved.

"I hope that measures will be taken to prevent the perception that incidents are merely covered up and that transparency is lacking," he said, assuring that the government will do its utmost to ensure that young people called to serve the nation can safely return to their daily lives.