By Lee Kyung-min
Everyone here knows that the military is a hotbed for violence, with all soldiers being subject to bullying or abuse to a certain degree by colleagues or superiors inside military barracks.
The latest case in which a soldier was beaten to death by his superiors has brought the decades-old military culture into the public light, causing ripple effects across society.
An increasing number of parents who have sent their sons to the military have become more concerned about the safety of their loved ones, calling on military authorities to take drastic measures to change the violence-ridden culture.
Experts say that violence in the military can be traced back to middle and high schools, where many students are bullied by their peers or seniors. The abusers often get away with the misdeeds and repeat them when they go into the military.
The military's strict hierarchy is also to blame as subordinates have to obey their superiors and endure abuses, they said.
Abuse stories in the military are not uncommon in Korea, but extreme cases such as what happened to the soldier, indentified as Yoon, and other young men who are legally bound to complete their 21-month military service raises public anger.
Experts say the abuse happening in any sort of social group is nothing new, and it is all a matter of degree.
Oh Yoon-sung, a criminal justice professor at Soon Chun Hyang University, says it all begins at school.
"The bullies learn early on that no matter what they do, they will never face too harsh a punishment. They know exactly what to do to make someone's life miserable," Oh said.
He added that to bullies, unless properly supervised, see the military hierarchy almost as a free pass to do as they please to lower-ranking soldiers.
"When they are at the bottom of the ranks, they are not so much aware about what they are allowed to do. But once they move on, they change dramatically," he said.
He added that the military hierarchy is more dangerous as the crimes committed within are far less likely to be the subject of consequences.
"It is a very sadistic culture condoning violence and abuse. In a civil society, reported crimes face punishments. But the military has its own rules. Different rules," Oh said.
And this is why he strongly argues that the crimes in the military should be dealt with through the civil justice system.
"The military thinks that they are doing fine, which rarely has been the public perception," Oh said.
He also stressed that the strongest punishments should be carried out against school-bullying perpetrators from early on, saying that they need to understand that their actions lead to consequences.
"Unless they learn that there are things they cannot get away with, they will not stop doing bad things," he added,
Seoul National University psychology professor Kwak Keum-joo agreed that what happened is a tragedy.
But preventative measures in early education should differ from just focusing on punishment.
"When children are young, they are limitless in potential. They are pliable, and they still can be instilled with virtues. Compassion and love should be the primary goal of education rather than punishment," Kwak said.
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| Prof. Oh Yoon-sung |
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| Prof. Kwak Keum-joo |
The latest case in which a soldier was beaten to death by his superiors has brought the decades-old military culture into the public light, causing ripple effects across society.
An increasing number of parents who have sent their sons to the military have become more concerned about the safety of their loved ones, calling on military authorities to take drastic measures to change the violence-ridden culture.
Experts say that violence in the military can be traced back to middle and high schools, where many students are bullied by their peers or seniors. The abusers often get away with the misdeeds and repeat them when they go into the military.
The military's strict hierarchy is also to blame as subordinates have to obey their superiors and endure abuses, they said.
Abuse stories in the military are not uncommon in Korea, but extreme cases such as what happened to the soldier, indentified as Yoon, and other young men who are legally bound to complete their 21-month military service raises public anger.
Experts say the abuse happening in any sort of social group is nothing new, and it is all a matter of degree.
Oh Yoon-sung, a criminal justice professor at Soon Chun Hyang University, says it all begins at school.
"The bullies learn early on that no matter what they do, they will never face too harsh a punishment. They know exactly what to do to make someone's life miserable," Oh said.
He added that to bullies, unless properly supervised, see the military hierarchy almost as a free pass to do as they please to lower-ranking soldiers.
"When they are at the bottom of the ranks, they are not so much aware about what they are allowed to do. But once they move on, they change dramatically," he said.
He added that the military hierarchy is more dangerous as the crimes committed within are far less likely to be the subject of consequences.
"It is a very sadistic culture condoning violence and abuse. In a civil society, reported crimes face punishments. But the military has its own rules. Different rules," Oh said.
And this is why he strongly argues that the crimes in the military should be dealt with through the civil justice system.
"The military thinks that they are doing fine, which rarely has been the public perception," Oh said.
He also stressed that the strongest punishments should be carried out against school-bullying perpetrators from early on, saying that they need to understand that their actions lead to consequences.
"Unless they learn that there are things they cannot get away with, they will not stop doing bad things," he added,
Seoul National University psychology professor Kwak Keum-joo agreed that what happened is a tragedy.
But preventative measures in early education should differ from just focusing on punishment.
"When children are young, they are limitless in potential. They are pliable, and they still can be instilled with virtues. Compassion and love should be the primary goal of education rather than punishment," Kwak said.
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