Two Marine commanders relieved of duties after shooting rampage

(ATTN: ADDS arrest warrant issued for shooter in last 2 paras)
SEOUL, July 10 (Yonhap) -- The Marine Corps said Sunday it has decided to relieve two commanding officers of their duties, holding them accountable for last week's shooting rampage by a marine that killed four colleagues on a front-line unit.
The 19-year-old marine corporal surnamed Kim opened fire on July 4 at his base on Ganghwa Island, the 2nd Marine Division, near the tense maritime border with North Korea, killing four fellow marines and injuring another.
The division's regimental and battalion commanders, only identified by Col. Min and Lt. Col. Han, will be relieved of their duties from Tuesday and Monday, respectively, Marine Corps officials said.
"The Marine Corps decided to take this action because they lost the ability to command following the shooting incident," an official said on the condition of anonymity.
Military investigators found that Kim, who was found to be mentally unstable at the time of the shooting, was angered by alleged bullying and beatings by his colleagues.
On Saturday, Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin has ordered all military commanders to inspect the standards of discipline and irregularities amid concerns about discipline since the rampage.
The shooter was hospitalized after unsuccessfully trying to kill himself with a grenade.
At least two years of military service is compulsory for all able-bodied South Korean men, but some have complained of harsh physical discipline and rampant harassment.
Meanwhile, a military court issued Saturday a warrant to arrest Kim on charges of murder, attempted murder and stealing the rifle used for the attack.
"We will start an intensive interrogation on Corporal Kim from tomorrow," the official said.
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