Memorial held for young Marine killed during last year’s search for flood victims

A memorial ceremony was held for a young conscript, surnamed Chae, who was killed last year during a risky search mission for victims of heavy downpours, the Marine Corps said Friday. The then 20-year-old Marine was swept away by a torrent during a search for missing flood victims in the southeastern county of Yecheon on July 19 last year. He was found dead half a day later. His death sparked national outrage over initial findings that Chae and other Marines were mobilized for the search mission to comb through a swollen, torrential and muddy stream without proper safety gear, such as life jackets or ropes. Some 250 soldiers as well as friends and families of Chae took part in the memorial ceremony held at the 1st Marine Division in Pohang, 262 kilometers southeast of Seoul, and hosted by Marine Corps Commandant Lt. Gen. Kim Kye-hwan. In a speech commemorating Chae, Kim was quoted as saying the late soldier will always be remembered as a role model and vowed efforts to protect fellow soldiers. A commemo rative bust of Chae was also revealed during the memorial ceremony, the Marine Corps said. Source: Yonhap News Agency