MND apologizes for army corporal's death, admits negligence
ROC Central News Agency
2013/07/09 19:18:37
Taipei, July 9 (CNA) The Republic of China Army apologized Tuesday for the death of an officer that occurred just a few days before he was scheduled to complete his military service.
Deputy Army Commander Gen. Wu Yu-ming issued the apology to the public and the family of Corporal Hung Chung-chiu, who suffered heat exhaustion and died July 3, before the Ministry of National Defense (MND) held a news conference on the death that morning.
Defense Minister Kao Hua-chu said he was angered and saddened by the death of 23-year-old Hung, who died while in disciplinary confinement, said MND spokesman Luo Shou-he.
Hung was serving in the 542nd Brigade in Hsinchu and had been set to be discharged July 6.
He was sent to the 269th Brigade in Taoyuan June 28 for disciplinary action because he brought a camera phone without permission when he returned to the base from vacation June 23.
Hung became unwell after a training session July 3 and was sent to hospital, where he died of multiple organ failure.
Luo said the minister ordered a thorough investigation into Hung's death, the findings of which were published during the news conference.
Chief of the General Staff Yen Ming visited Hung's family in Taichung and conveyed a message of condolence on behalf of the MND, promising that no such tragedies will take place again, Luo added.
The ministry investigation found both brigades to have been negligent in imposing the disciplinary action, said Chang Yu-lung, an official at the MND's Ethics Office.
A lack of training and experience of personnel, as well as poor facilities and management of the 269th Brigade, was also blamed for the tragedy, Chang said.
The ministry will decide upon punishment for any military staff who are found to have been negligent or to have failed to comply with military rules by the end of next week, Chang added.
(By Rogge Chen and Kay Liu)
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