Marine under investigation after police responding to drunk report find blank rounds

A Marine on leave is under military investigation after police found blank rounds among the Marine’s belongings while responding to a report of an intoxicated person, according to the Republic of Korea Marine Corps. 

The Marine was taken into military authorities after police responded to a report of an intoxicated person near Yongsan Station in central Seoul’s Yongsan District on Saturday, the Marine Corps said on Monday. Police reportedly discovered multiple blank rounds while confirming the Marine’s identity.

Military authorities are investigating the possibility that the Marine improperly removed the blank ammunition during training exercises. The Marine is said to have admitted to secretly taking some of the rounds used during combat training conducted by the Korea Combat Training Center.

If the statement is confirmed to be true, the Marine could face charges under the Military Criminal Act for the unauthorized removal of military property.

"The Marine Corps views this matter very seriously,” a Marine Corps official said. “We will take action in accordance with the law and regulations depending on the outcome of the investigation.”

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

BY HAN YOUNG-HYE [[email protected]]