During the December 3 martial law crisis in South Korea, the military transported over 60,000 rounds of ammunition outside its bases, 51,935 of which were live rounds. Martial law forces, including the Capital Defense Command of Korea, were also found to have stored “HP rounds,” prohibited by international treaties, at the time of deployment.
According to data obtained by Democratic Party Rep. Ahn Gyu Back from the Ministry of National Defense on Friday, martial law forces mobilized 204,329 rounds of ammunition, including the Special Warfare Command, Capital Defense Command, and Defense Intelligence Command. 65,230 rounds were transported outside the bases, while the remaining 139,099 rounds were stored inside them.
Among the 65,230 rounds transported externally, 51,935 were live ammunition. Specifically, this included 38,155 rounds of 5.56mm standard ammunition, 11,260 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 2,500 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and 20 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition.
During the martial law deployment, the Special Warfare Command and Capital Defense Command also had 35 rounds of 12-gauge slug hollow point (HP) ammunition. These rounds, which expand inside the human body upon impact and cause severe injuries, are prohibited under international treaties. The Capital Defense Command also mobilized two military-grade C-4 explosive charges, typically used for destroying critical facilities and equipment.
Of the remaining 139,099 rounds stored within bases or loaded onto vehicles, 119,768 were live ammunition. This included 92,380 rounds of 5.56mm standard ammunition, 26,460 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 640 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and 288 rounds of 40mm high-explosive ammunition.
The 9th Special Forces Brigade, tasked with occupying the National Election Commission’s Gwanak office and a polling agency, Poll Flower, during the martial law crisis, was confirmed to have loaded 240 fragmentation grenades and 18 Claymore mines. Fragmentation grenades disperse metal shrapnel upon detonation, while Claymore mines project a spray of steel balls forward.