Army 1st Corps on Western Front Operates K6 Machine Guns Without Ammunition at GP and GOP Since First Half of Year
Live Rounds Kept in Ammo Cans Next to Guns Instead of Being Loaded; Susumed to Be "Meant to Prevent Accidental Discharges"
JCS States "Loading Ammo is the Fundamental Rule for Frontline Weapon Operations"; Vows Action After On-Site Inspection

It has been revealed that the Army's 1st Corps, responsible for defending the western front, has been carrying out guard operations at frontline guard posts (GP and GOP) without loading live ammunition into its core heavy weapons, prompting the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) to launch a fact-finding investigation.

According to military authorities on the 29th, the Army 1st Corps was confirmed to have changed its internal duty guidelines starting in the first half of this year so that K6 heavy machine guns are not loaded with live rounds during frontline guard operations, but instead, ammo cans filled with live rounds are placed next to the firearms.

The K6 heavy machine gun, the crew-served weapon with the largest caliber, is a key asset that must respond as a top priority in the event of a sudden enemy provocation. For this reason, considering the time-critical nature of frontline situations, keeping belt-fed live ammunition loaded at all times has been a fundamental principle of existing guard duty.

The 1st Corps' unusual downgrading of its arming guidelines is presumed to be a self-initiated measure to prevent accidental firearm discharges.

However, the JCS, a higher military command, stepped in, expressing concern over the potential undermining of immediate response readiness. A JCS official emphasized, "Maintaining a loaded state for weapon operations in frontline areas is the fundamental principle," and stated that necessary measures according to regulations will be taken after promptly inspecting the on-site situation.

Amid a clash between the two values of preventing safety accidents and maintaining immediate military readiness, attention is focused on the military authorities' final investigation results and whether the guidelines will be reverted.