Marine Reserve Corps Demands Truth: Struggle for Justice

Marine Reserve Corps Struggles for the Truth: What Are the Results?

Source: Kyunghyang Shinmun

A group of Marine Reserve Corps members has raised questions about the spirit of the Marine Corps, as Lieutenant Park Jeong-hoon becomes a strong support for the organization. MZ generation officers and Korean War veterans, who are also Marine Reserve Corps members, have come together to demand a thorough investigation and clarification of a private’s death incident.

Last November 5th, Marine Reserve Corps members marched 50km from Hwaseong Marine Corps Headquarters to the Ministry of National Defense, demanding a comprehensive investigation into the private’s death incident. During the march, they received support from citizens and displayed banners with the names of the Marine Corps and Private Park Jeong-hoon.

The Marine Corps’ handling of the investigation into the Marine’s death, and the subsequent defense of the superior officer, has shocked many. However, the Marine Reserve Corps members, including MZ generation officers, veterans, and Korean War veterans, continue to demand the truth in the name of the Marine Corps, despite allegations of external pressure.

Gathering people, organizing rallies, and participating in a two-day march is not an easy task, especially for individuals with other professions. One Marine Reserve Corps member stated, “I still want to hear the word ‘Marine Corps’ because it symbolizes the spirit of the Marines.”

Park Jeong-hoon, a former Marine Corps officer, created a KakaoTalk chatroom in August last year to demand a thorough investigation into the private’s death incident. He did not engage in post-discharge activities or boast about his Marine Corps background. Instead, he felt a sense of responsibility due to the exceptional nature of the private’s death, which could have affected his own family.

The Marine Corps Veterans Association’s official organization, representing the Marine Reserve Corps, released a statement in August last year, which served as a catalyst for action. The situation quickly escalated when Lieutenant Park Jeong-hoon, who was investigating the incident, was indicted for insubordination. The Minister of National Defense initially agreed to hand over the investigation materials to the police but later suspended the report.

The Marine Corps Veterans Association emphasized the need for the military to conduct a thorough investigation without external interference. However, the response to their statement was met with disappointment and a sense of shame from Marine Reserve Corps members. Some even expressed their embarrassment, stating that it felt like a third-party statement rather than reflecting the anger of Marine Corps families.

Representative Han Dong-hoon, who was present at the National Memorial in Daejeon, showed no reaction when asked to pay tribute to Private Park Jeong-hoon. This lack of interest further disappointed Kim Tae-sung, a Marine Corps veteran, who accompanied Park Jeong-hoon during the event. Kim Tae-sung, who served during the Vietnam War, believes that a true Marine Corps leader should take responsibility for their subordinates and not shift blame onto them.

Despite the challenges, Marine Reserve Corps members remain determined to continue their march for the truth. They believe that the investigation should be conducted without external interference, and they will not stop until the incident is properly resolved.

Kim Tae-sung, who is preparing for a long fight, plans to organize a march from Kimpo Aegibong, where the 2nd Marine Division is located, to the accident sites in Yecheon and Pohang, and finally to the National Memorial in Daejeon. They aim to involve not only Marine Reserve Corps members but also ordinary citizens in the march. Kim Tae-sung stated, “The Marine Corps’ motto is ‘Until the End.’ Just as the Marine Corps bravely carries out amphibious landing operations amidst a hail of bullets, we will not stop marching until this incident is resolved.”

Marine Reserve Corps members, such as An Shin-hyun, who is responsible for supporting various events nationwide as a member of the 905th Reserve Corps, hope that the “Private’s Incident Special Investigation Act” will be passed before the end of the 21st National Assembly term. They believe that uncovering the truth behind incidents where military personnel lose their lives is a national duty. Despite the long hours attending parliamentary meetings at the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee, An Shin-hyun also hopes to regain a sense of normalcy in their daily life.

As Marine Corps veteran Kim Tae-sung fights for justice, he plans to do whatever he can to ensure that people do not forget about the incident, even if it takes a long time to resolve. This year, they are preparing for a march from Kimpo Aegibong, where the 2nd Marine Division is located, passing through Yecheon and the accident site in Pohang, and finally reaching the National Memorial in Daejeon. By marching for two days every month, they hope to arrive in Pohang within two years. They aim to expand participation not only from Marine Reserve Corps members but also from the general public. Kim Tae-sung stated, “The Marine Corps’ motto is ‘Until the End.’ As the Marine Corps, known for its daring amphibious landing operations, is deeply rooted in the spirit of fearless challenges, we will not stop marching until this incident is resolved.”