South Korea's defense minister Saturday deplored the death of a soldier by violence and abusive treatment by fellow soldiers and called for the creation of an environment where soldiers' human rights can be respected.
In April, a 23-year-old Army private first class (PFC), surnamed Yoon, died after allegedly being hit in the chest by six of his colleagues at their barracks. The assault caused a piece of food to obstruct his airway, leading him to die of asphyxiation.