Survivor’s Guilt: Marine Soldier’s Struggle After Tragic Incident

Re-investigation of Private First Class Chae’s death incident
Surviving soldier’s mother participates in the investigation
Surviving soldier has post-traumatic stress disorder

As the re-investigation of the death of Marine Private First Class Chae Mo is underway, recent updates about the surviving soldier who was at the scene have been released.

On the 13th, the Special Investigation Headquarters of the Prosecution Service summoned the mother of Sergeant A, who was rescued after being swept away by a rapid current while searching for the missing with Private First Class Chae, for investigation.

In July, during a heavy rainfall, three members of the Marine Corps 1st Division Artillery Brigade, who were deployed to search for missing persons around the Bumun Bridge area, were swept away by a rapid current.

At that time, the Marines were searching for the missing in a human chain operation when the ground suddenly collapsed, causing Private Chae and two other members to be swept away by the rapid current. The two members managed to swim out, but the current carried Private Chae away, and he eventually died.

However, the death incident was concluded within a week without identifying the person responsible.

In response, the mother of Sergeant A, one of the surviving soldiers, accused the 1st Division Commander of the Marine Corps, Lim Seong-geun, of not fulfilling his duty of safety management and forcing the soldiers to conduct a dangerous underwater search without protective equipment last month. She reported him to the Prosecution Service for abuse of power, obstruction of rights, and negligence resulting in injury.

Sergeant A broke down in his first call after the accident, saying, “Mom, I couldn’t hold on to Chae,” and has since been struggling with trauma.

Sergeant A has returned to his unit after being discharged from the hospital but is still taking medication due to a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Attorney Kang stated, “Sergeant A is suffering and tormented by the guilt of not being able to save Private First Class Chae and the memory of nearly dying after being swept away by the water,” expressing regret.

By. Han Ji Young