Suspected stray bullet from military drill hits girl at playground

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Koh Ewe

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The playground was located about 1.5km (0.9mi) away from a military shooting range

South Korea’s military has halted all shooting drills involving small firearms - including weapons like rifles or handguns - after a child was struck by a suspected stray bullet at a playground in Daegu city.

The elementary schoolgirl was taken to hospital after being struck near the neck on Monday afternoon by an object suspected to be a bullet. She has since been discharged, local media reported.

The playground was located about 1.5km (0.9mi) away from a military shooting range, and a shooting drill had taken place at the time of the incident, authorities said.

Officials say they are investigating if her injury was due to the live-fire exercise.

The range, built in 1995, is equipped with protective barriers to catch bullets, according to news site the Korea Herald.

Live-fire military exercises held across South Korea have mostly taken place without incident - though there have been rare cases of civilian casualties.

In 2020, a golf caddy in South Jeolla province underwent emergency operation after she was struck in the head by a stray bullet fired from a nearby military shooting range.

Last year, South Korea’s military similarly suspended live-fire drills and training flights after fighter jets accidentally dropped bombs on a village in Pocheon city, injuring nearly 30 civilians.

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South Korea