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Fugitive South Korean soldier captured after failed suicide attempt Fugitive South Korean soldier captured after failed suicide attempt
(about 4 hours later)
A South Korean soldier who fled after allegedly killing five colleagues has been captured following a failed suicide attempt, according to the defence ministry in Seoul.A South Korean soldier who fled after allegedly killing five colleagues has been captured following a failed suicide attempt, according to the defence ministry in Seoul.
The 22-year-old sergeant surnamed Lim shot himself on the side of his abdomen but failed to kill himself. He was being taken to a nearby hospital, said a ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. He gave no further details. The 22-year-old sergeant surnamed Lim shot himself on the side of his abdomen. He was being taken to a nearby hospital, said a ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. He gave no further details.
There has been massive manhunt for the soldier since authorities said he killed five and wounded seven on Saturday night before fleeing his frontline unit with his standard issue K2 assault rifle. There has been huge manhunt for the soldier since authorities said he killed five and wounded seven on Saturday night before fleeing his frontline unit with his standard issue K2 assault rifle.
On Sunday he fired at the troops chasing him, injuring a platoon leader. On Monday, officials said a South Korean soldier was wounded by suspected friendly fire. On Sunday, he fired at the troops chasing him, injuring a platoon leader. On Monday, officials said a South Korean soldier was wounded by suspected friendly fire.
Earlier on Monday, troops surrounded him so closely in the forest that they could throw him a mobile phone, so he could talk to his father, as well as bread and bottled water. His parents were also brought to the area to try to persuade him to turn himself in.Earlier on Monday, troops surrounded him so closely in the forest that they could throw him a mobile phone, so he could talk to his father, as well as bread and bottled water. His parents were also brought to the area to try to persuade him to turn himself in.
It wasn't clear what triggered the rampage, and there was no indication that South Korea's rival, North Korea, was involved. It was not clear what triggered the rampage, and there was no indication that South Korea's rival, North Korea, was involved. Lim was scheduled to complete his nearly two years of mandatory military service in September, according to defence officials.
Lim was scheduled to complete his nearly two years of mandatory military service in September, according to defence officials. Initial personality tests in April last year put him within a group of soldiers who need special attention and are unfit for frontline duty, according to the defence ministry. But tests last November concluded that he had improved and could serve in the frontline.
Initial personality tests in April of last year put him within a group of soldiers who need special attention and are unfit for frontline duty, according to the defence ministry. But tests last November concluded he had improved and could serve in the frontline area.