Army sergeant indicted for forcing soldier to do push-ups, causing muscle-dissolving condition

A staff sergeant from the Army's 15th Division has been indicted on charges of abusing authority and assault after allegedly forcing a soldier to perform push-ups until the soldier developed severe rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which muscle tissue breaks down.

The Army Prosecution Corps' 31st Prosecution Unit in Gangwon Province indicted the sergeant, identified only as A, on charges of abuse of authority and assault causing bodily injury, Yonhap reported Friday.

Sergeant A is accused of forcing Corporal B to perform push-ups against the corporal's will on March 9 at a fitness facility inside the 15th Division in Cheorwon-gun.

During the incident, the sergeant allegedly stood over the corporal, grabbed the back of the corporal's athletic top, and repeatedly lifted and pressed down to force push-ups, telling the corporal to "stop slacking and go all the way down."

The corporal pleaded to stop multiple times, saying "I'm in too much pain, sir" and "I don't think this is right," but Sergeant A did not relent. The corporal ultimately performed nearly 100 push-ups.

Afterward, the corporal experienced severe pain in both arms and passed cola-colored urine. Tests showed that creatine kinase, a muscle enzyme, had spiked to 77,380 — hundreds of times the normal level. The corporal was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis and hospitalized for two weeks of treatment.

Investigators determined the charges were substantiated based on statements from unit personnel and the corporal's medical records.

After the incident, the corporal's family visited South Korea's Ministry of National Defense to submit a petition signed by more than 4,500 people — gathered both online and offline — calling for severe punishment and a thorough investigation.

"We hope the trial will fully examine the circumstances of the incident, the harm suffered, and the illegality and responsibility of the actions, so that a strict and appropriate ruling is handed down in accordance with the law and principles," the family said.

The family added that they hoped "this case will not end simply as punishment for one individual, but will again draw attention to the seriousness of abuse and misconduct within the military, and serve as an opportunity to prevent similar harm from recurring."