▲ Marine Corps service members participating in the 2026 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise conduct an MV-22 Osprey air assault drill at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) in Kaneohe, USA, on July 9 (local time).
A Marine Corps non-commissioned officer has been found dead from a gunshot wound at an off-base officer's quarters, prompting a joint investigation by military authorities and the police.
Criticism has emerged that the military authorities may have been negligent in managing firearms and ammunition, given that the military official was able to move to the off-base quarters carrying a weapon and live rounds without any restriction.
The Marine Corps announced today (August 3) that a staff sergeant, identified as A, was found dead in an apparent gunshot incident at a military quarters in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, this morning.
The incident took place at a lodging facility exclusively for military personnel located off-base, and the deceased held the rank of staff sergeant.
No signs of foul play by an outside party were reportedly found at the scene.
A Marine Corps official stated, "When he could not be reached at the time he was supposed to report to work, someone went to his quarters and found him dead."
The distance from A's unit to the scene of the incident is several kilometers.
It has not yet been confirmed how he managed to bring the firearm and live ammunition to his off-base quarters.
As A was discovered after the weekend, the exact time of death has also not been determined.
In response, military authorities and police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death, including the source and leakage route of the firearm and ammunition, as well as the time of death.
A Marine Corps official said, "We are investigating the exact details of the incident in cooperation with relevant agencies including the military and police."
(Photo provided by the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, Yonhap News)
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