Key facts
- South Korea's defense ministry relieved the Army's 1st Corps commander.
- The commander issued a directive for a front-line unit to conduct guard operations without live ammunition loaded.
- Heavy machine guns and grenade launchers were to be used unloaded.
- Live ammunition was kept nearby but not loaded.
- The directive raised concerns about military readiness.
- A U.S. drone flight near the inter-Korean border nearly led to it being mistaken for an enemy threat.
- A South Korean military official stated the drone incident was caused by a working-level communication error.
The commander of South Korea's Army's 1st Corps has been relieved of duty by the defense ministry. This action follows a directive that front-line units conduct guard operations without live ammunition loaded into their weapons. Heavy machine guns and grenade launchers were reportedly ordered to be used in an unloaded state, with live ammunition stored separately but kept within reach. This order has sparked concerns regarding the military's readiness and operational effectiveness in critical front-line positions.