K-6 Heavy Machine Gun [Yonhap News file photo]

The Army's 1st Corps, which oversees the western front, has been conducting guard operations at General Outposts (GOP) and front-line Guard Posts (GP) without keeping live ammunition loaded in its K-6 heavy machine guns.

It was revealed that the Corps unilaterally altered the front-line guard operation guidelines—which stipulate that live ammunition must be loaded—and that the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), which holds overall command of military operations, was unaware of this fact.

According to military sources on the 29th, the 1st Corps has been operating under changed guidelines since the first half of this year, which specify that K-6 heavy machine guns at GP and GOP guard posts should not be pre-loaded with live ammunition; instead, an ammunition box containing live rounds must be kept nearby.

The K-6 heavy machine gun is the largest caliber firearm used by the South Korean military, capable of firing 12.7mm rounds at a rate of 600 rounds per minute, with an effective range of approximately 1.8 km.

As a crew-served weapon deployed at front-line posts due to its immense firepower and long range, it is a standing principle of guard operations to keep belt-fed live ammunition loaded to ensure immediate response in the event of a contingency.

While the 1st Corps did not disclose the reason for changing the guidelines to exclude loading live ammunition into the K-6, it is presumed to be a measure aimed at preventing accidental discharges.

Typically, the K-6 heavy machine gun is mounted at guard posts aimed at North Korean GPs. An accidental discharge could lead the North Korean military to believe they are under targeted fire, potentially sparking a retaliatory strike and leading to an armed conflict.

In fact, accidental discharges of live-loaded K-6 machine guns do occur occasionally at front-line GOP and GP posts, and each time, the military notifies the North Korean side of the incident through cross-border broadcasts.

The 1st Corps reportedly determined that it could still respond promptly in an emergency even without keeping the K-6 loaded.

GPs are typically equipped with both the K-6 heavy machine gun and the remotely-controlled KR-6 heavy machine gun. The argument is that the KR-6 remains loaded with live ammunition as before, allowing for immediate response.

Another issue is whether the 1st Corps' change to the guard operation guidelines was properly reported to higher commands according to protocol.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff, which oversees all South Korean military operations, stated that it had not been notified of the 1st Corps' change in operational guidelines.

It is reported that the Ground Operations Command, the 1st Corps' superior unit, was notified of this fact through an automated reporting system but did not flag it as an issue at the time and failed to report it to the JCS.

As the controversy emerged, the JCS announced plans to investigate whether the 1st Corps' modification of the guard guidelines was justified.

The investigation will comprehensively review whether a corps commander has the authority to unilaterally change front-line guard guidelines that mandate live loading, and whether the current practice compromises the military's ability to respond to contingencies.

A JCS official stated, "Currently, the standard principle for our military's weapon operation in front-line areas such as GPs and GOPs is to keep live ammunition loaded," adding, "We plan to conduct on-site inspections and take necessary measures regarding the exceptions currently being practiced by some units."