By Kim Seung-yeon

SEOUL, July 31 (Yonhap) -- A key Army command has issued a directive to all front-line border units to keep their crew-served weapons loaded, a military official said Friday, following a protocol breach where soldiers were found on duty with unloaded arms.

The Army's 1st Corps, responsible for the western front, was found to have instructed its soldiers to use unloaded K6 heavy machine guns and K4 automatic grenade launchers while on guard duty while leaving live ammunition next to the firearms.

The corps commander reportedly allowed them to do so at his own discretion, apparently to prevent accidental discharges.

The Army Ground Operations Command (GOC) has since inspected all five corps over their guard operations and the use of crew-served weapons.

"Effective yesterday, the GOC issued a sectional order requiring all crew-served weapons at front-line guard posts and general outposts to remain loaded with mounted ammunition," an official from the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) told reporters.

"The GOC is currently inspecting the readiness posture of all front-line border units, with follow-up measures to be implemented upon completion of the inspection," the JCS official said.

The firearms, including the K6 and K4, are supposed to be kept belt-fed with live rounds loaded into the weapons to ensure an immediate response in emergency situations.

The latest case at the 1st Corps has sparked concerns over lax military readiness and security posture at the units responsible for the country's ground defense.

elly@yna.co.kr

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