▲ This file photo, taken May 14, 2015, shows a firearm used by the military at a training center for reserve forces in the central city of Daejeon. (Yonhap)

firearms accidents-prevention

Military advised to adopt RFID system in handling firearms to prevent accidents

SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Yonhap) -- The military has been advised to swiftly adopt a radio frequency identification (RFID) system in handling firearms in a bid to prevent gun-related accidents and deaths in the military, the defense ministry said Wednesday.

A special advisory committee comprising civilian, government and military officials made the recommendation as the military has been grappling with a rise in the number of firearm-related accidents and deaths among service members, including suicides, in recent years.

The committee called for the swift introduction of the RFID system in handling firearms in the military, saying such accidents can be "technically managed."

The RFID system involves wireless technology using radio waves to identify and track tags embedded on guns to gather data on their current location and the person carrying the firearm.

The military introduced the RFID system for firearms last year to some units in a pilot project and plans to apply it to five more Army, Navy and Air Force units this year.

The committee also made recommendations on four issues, including implementing prevention measures for suicides and safety accidents, establishing an emergency medical support system and coming up with response procedures in the event of an accident.

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