Seoul: The military is set to conduct inspections of front-line Army corps situated around Seoul and border areas following revelations that a unit was performing guard duties without live ammunition loaded, officials announced Thursday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the controversy arose when the 1st Corps, responsible for the western front, instructed soldiers to use K6 heavy machine guns without loading them, leaving live ammunition next to the firearms instead. This directive has sparked criticism and concern over the unit's readiness and security posture.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), which supervises operations along the North Korean border, stated they were unaware of the policy change and have pledged to investigate the issue thoroughly. The Chosun Ilbo daily reported that the same corps also employed unloaded K4 automatic grenade launchers, weapons meant to target enemy troops and light armored vehicles at distances up to 1,500 meters.

The corps commander reportedly made the decision independently, aiming to prevent accidental discharges, a common issue at front-line posts with loaded machine guns. In response, the Army's Ground Operations Command will inspect five corps under its jurisdiction. The inspections will focus on guard operations and the use of crew-served weapons, including general outposts and guard posts near the border.

The K6 and K4 firearms are intended to be kept belt-fed with live rounds to ensure immediate response during emergencies. This incident at the 1st Corps has raised alarms over the military's preparedness and security measures at critical defense units.

Among the five subordinate corps under the Ground Operations Command, three are located in Gyeonggi Province, which surrounds Seoul, while the other two are based near the inter-Korean border in Gangwon Province.