At least 10 soldiers were injured during a live-fire simulation drill at a military base in Paju, a city located near South Korea’s northern border with North Korea, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Defense in Seoul. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon when a mock training round, designed to emulate artillery fire and smoke, exploded unexpectedly at approximately 3:24 PM local time.
The ministry confirmed that among the injured, two soldiers sustained serious burns to their arms and thighs. Military medics were quick to provide first aid at the scene, and emergency response teams dispatched six ambulances to assist. While the defense ministry has initiated an investigation into the cause of the explosion, specific details surrounding the incident have not yet been disclosed.
The Paju military base, situated approximately 50 kilometers (30 miles) northwest of the capital, Seoul, is among several South Korean installations positioned near the heavily fortified border with North Korea. This border area has been a point of enduring tension, as the two Koreas are still technically at war following the armistice that ended the Korean War in 1953, which did not culminate in a formal peace treaty.
In South Korea, mandatory military service is enforced for all men under 30, reflecting the ongoing security concerns stemming from North Korea’s nuclear capabilities and the historical conflict between the two nations. The incident during the training exercise raises questions about safety protocols and the measures in place to prevent such accidents in the future amid the heightened military readiness in the region.
