USFK reopens Rodriguez range after accident probe

SEOUL, April 25 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. military in South Korea said Tuesday it has resumed the operation of its accident-prone shooting range close to the inter-Korean border.

The Rodriguez training ground had been out of service since early this month after two big stray bullets from an Eighth Army helicopter-firing drill dropped at a nearby ranch in the latest-known incident.

No one was hurt but local residents said it shows the danger to their lives from the U.S. facilities in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province.

The U.S. Eighth Army, the core unit of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), announced that a combined investigation with South Korean and U.S. experts has been completed.

It said its commander Lt. Gen. Thomas S. Vandal met with senior South Korean defense ministry officials and lawmakers to "discuss the findings of the investigation and the resumption of firing at Rodriguez range."

It did not elaborate on the outcome of the probe in a brief statement.

"We regret that this incident occurred, and the Eighth Army is committed to conducting safe operations at all times," said Vandal. "The training we conduct at Rodriguez range is crucial to keeping the Alliance ready to fight tonight, and the safety of our service members, civilians and the community will always remain our top priority."

American troops resumed ground firing on Tuesday, while aerial gunneries are expected to resume next month.

lcd@yna.co.kr
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