Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

A platoon leader of the army training center saved a trainee who mishandled a hand grenade. Although the safety pin was pulled off, he prevented fatalities by instantly handling the crisis with his devoted behavior for his staff.

Since throwing a hand grenade is one of the most dangerous courses during the recruit education, a regimental commander controls the training himself. An experienced platoon leader walks into the trench with a trainee and gives training one-to-one. The trench is divided into two trenches by a 60cm tall dividing wall, and the trainee and the platoon commander enter each trench.

On January 23, First Sergeant Kim Hyun-Soo, 32, ex-special noncom, saved a trainee from an accident. He is a veteran performing his duty as a platoon leader for six years at the Army training center. The trainee, who practiced a mock practical training for throwing a hand grenade the day before the accident, took the pin off the actual hand grenade and threw it out. But the grenade slipped into the trench where First Sergeant Kim was. The trainee just kept his eyes forward, not knowing the situation. There were only 4-5 seconds left until the explosion.

The platoon leader instinctively threw himself to protect the trainee. He dragged the trainee out right away and held him tight, shouting “Hand grenade in the trench!” His move was just like a flash of lightning despite his robust physique, 180cm in height and weighing 75kg, and wearing a flak jacket as well. The grenade exploded with a roar in less than a second. They all were safe. The trainee said, “It happened quick as a flash. I heartly thank First Sergeant Kim that he put my safety first rather than his despite the risk of explosion.”

The platoon commander Kim’s automatic action was possible because of repeated training which assumed danger. In addition, his love for junior staff prevented any injury or fatality that could have happened.

It was not the first time he took special care of his staff. When he was on duty as an orderly officer in July of last year, he took emergency measures for a trainee who lost his consciousness. First Sergeant Kim carried him and ran 200m to the medical detachment. He received a commendation from the regimental commander for his actions.

The commander of the Army training center awarded First Sergeant Kim for his devoted, brave action on January 30. “I just took measures as I had trained to do. I think it’s my primary responsibility to regard trainees’ safety first under any circumstances,” he said.

By Yeong-Sun, Lee <vs119@dema.mil.kr>

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