Marine allegedly forced to continue training after heat stroke

A marine who collapsed during physical training was allegedly forced to participate in further training despite being diagnosed with a condition that causes muscle tissue to break down.

The soldier, who serves at a Marine Corps unit in Pohang, North Gyeongsang, lost consciousness and collapsed while running with other troops during physical training in early July, Yonhap News Agency reported Tuesday.

The marine's body temperature was reportedly 40.6 degrees Celsius (105.1 degrees Fahrenheit) at the time.

The marine was diagnosed with heatstroke and rhabdomyolysis at a military hospital emergency room and returned to their unit after receiving treatment at a civilian hospital for 12 days. Rhabdomyolysis is a condition in which damaged muscle tissue breaks down, which can be caused by factors including excessive body temperature, strenuous exercise or physical trauma.

After returning to the unit, the marine continued to experience muscle pain while carrying out duties or preparing for training. A medical examination at the unit's clinic resulted in a doctor's note advising the soldier to refrain from outdoor activities and training due to rhabdomyolysis.

Despite the medical recommendation, the marine's representative alleges that the unit forced them to participate in battalion training in late July after the soldier requested an exemption.

The marine experienced dizziness and vomiting during the multiday training and suffered significant muscle damage after returning, according to the marine's side.

The marine was subsequently diagnosed with a recurrence of rhabdomyolysis at a military hospital and has been receiving inpatient treatment at a civilian hospital until recently.

"We want to hold the military officers accountable for irresponsibly making them participate in the training despite recommendations from both a doctor and a military physician, causing the condition to recur," the marine's family told Yonhap. "This amounts to abuse."

The Marine Corps acknowledged that the soldier suffered a recurrence of rhabdomyolysis following the soldier's participation in the training and launched an investigation into personnel at the unit to determine what happened and whether there were problems in the way the marine was managed.

"There are additional matters that need to be verified regarding how they came to participate in the training, so we have launched an inspection involving personnel at the unit," a Marine Corps official said. "We will take appropriate action based on the findings."

BY JANG GU-SEUL [shin.woojin@joongang.co.kr]