Investigation into soldier's death slated by military

The Ministry of National Defense reported Monday that it will organize a committee to investigate the alleged homicide of a soldier. The Presidential Truth Commission on Suspicious Deaths reported last week that the soldier, Heo Won-geun, was murdered in 1984 while on duty. Mr. Heo, who served as a private first class in the army, was shot twice in the chest and once in the head. The Korean Army at the time called Mr. Heo's death a suicide.

"Beginning Tuesday, an investigation panel led by Jeong Su-seong, 1st Army commander, will look into the allegations raised by the commission," said Hwang Ui-don, the Defense Ministry spokesman. "Anyone found to have knowingly falsified the cause of death will be dealt with strongly."

The special panel will be comprised mostly of military investigators. But, Mr. Hwang said, to promote objectivity outside forensics specialists and members of the truth commission will also be consulted.

Mr. Heo was drafted in 1983 and served in the 7th Infantry Division in Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon province. According to the truth commission, on April 2, 1984, Mr. Heo was shot once in the chest by a senior commissioned officer who was drunk. The commission said the officer shot Mr. Heo two more times to make his death look like a suicide. The panel reported last week that witnesses were tortured by military police and sent on leave after agreeing to remain silent about the killing.

by Kim Min-seok