Soldier dies after grenade explosion during army training in Sejong

A grenade explosion occurred during an Army training exercise in Sejong on Tuesday morning, resulting in injuries to two people, one of whom died.

Army recruits undergo grenade throwing training at a military training center in Nonsan, South Chungcheong, in this file photo taken on Jan. 24, 2017. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

A grenade explosion occurred during an Army training exercise in Sejong on Tuesday morning, resulting in injuries to two people, one of whom died.

The incident occurred around 9:50 a.m. at the 32nd Army Division in Sejong during a grenade-throwing drill, according to the Army. An officer and an enlisted soldier were injured in the explosion and were immediately transported to a military hospital, but the soldier in cardiac arrest did not survive.

The platoon leader, who was overseeing the training, suffered severe injuries and is currently receiving emergency treatment. He remains conscious.

Military authorities and police suspect that the accident happened while the soldier threw the grenade after pulling the pin. An on-site investigation is under way.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the deceased soldier and his family," the Army said in a statement. "We will investigate the exact cause of the accident in cooperation with civilian police."

This incident marks the first fatality from a grenade explosion in a recruit battalion since September 2015.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]