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S Korean 'killer soldier' captured | S Korean 'killer soldier' captured |
(35 minutes later) | |
A South Korean soldier who killed five members of his unit has been captured after a failed suicide attempt, defence officials say. | A South Korean soldier who killed five members of his unit has been captured after a failed suicide attempt, defence officials say. |
The soldier, identified only as Im, shot himself in the side and was being sent to hospital, they said. | The soldier, identified only as Im, shot himself in the side and was being sent to hospital, they said. |
His capture ends a tense stand-off in a forest near his outpost by the border with North Korea. | His 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. | On Saturday evening Sergeant Im shot and threw a grenade at fellow soldiers before fleeing with his rifle. |
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 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. | 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 news agency earlier quoted an official as saying Sgt Im had "difficulties" adapting to military life. He was due to be discharged in three months. | |
The defence ministry spokesman has said the incident was "regrettable", adding: "We truly apologise for causing concern to the nation." | |
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. | |
In 2011, a marine opened fire on his colleagues and tried to blow himself up with a grenade. Four soldiers were killed in the attack. | |
The two Koreas were divided at the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty. As a result, they remain technically at war. |