Back on June 21, 22-year old sergeant Mr. Lim opened fire on his own comrades at a military base along the North Korean and South Korean border. After throwing a grenade at them, he proceeded to go on a shooting rampage, killing 5 and wounding 5 as a result.

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Mr. Lim fled the military base soon afterwards to a nearby town, Goseong. The military issued a warning to the locals to stay indoors before pursuing Mr. Lim. He was finally cornered on Sunday near an elementary school. It is rumored that his parents were brought to the scene, but they failed to persuade Mr. Lim to surrender. Shots were exchanged until nightfall, resulting in only a tense standoff.

According to several Korean reports, Mr. Lim was diagnosed with mental health issues since last year. He was classed as a "category A" and determined to be at a high risk of committing suicide or causing an accident. He was supposed to be discharged this coming September and was also placed under close supervision due to this diagnosis.

This event has thus brought attention to Korea's harsh military system and its inability to provide psychological support to its soldiers. In 2011, a marine similarly went on a shooting rampage and in 2005, an army private threw a grenade inside his own barracks.

After a long standoff, Mr. Lim shot himself in the side in an apparent suicide attempt. He also left a note where he apologized to the victims and families. He was brought to the military hospital and as he is currently receiving treatment, his fate and punishment have yet to be decided.