By Michael Stevens
Recently, I read an article entitled ``Playing a good guy leads to isolation in military” by Choi Hee-jae. The main point she makes is how some soldiers in the military, who try and change the current system of taking advantage of lower-ranking soldiers, are themselves punished for doing the right thing.
Her brief article only hits upon the incident where four soldiers were killed by a soldier. It is clear that Ms. Choi's piece was a direct result of her shock and her desire to help change the situations in the military.
Sadly we find that this incident is becoming uglier and uglier. It would be hard to find someone in Korea that did not agree with the fact that the government needs to put this issue on a priority review list. The government should make public what caused the abuse.
The standard token of one or two high-ranking military officials submitting their resignations ― which has in the past been the normal solution to similar rampages ― should not be the acceptable conclusion to this continued problem. Every Korean mother should demand a real solution.
As a former military member, I know it is standard practice for leaders in government to try and let the military fix its own internal problems, so as to keep the adhesiveness of the fighting force strong. I agree with this line of thinking, but the continued abuse and humiliation of others has clearly been going on too long. It has come to the point where it can no longer be tolerated by the Korean people.
Now is the time for heads to roll and people from all levels of the military from the bottom to the top need to be investigated so as to root out the sources of this problem. A solution must be found no matter the cost.
In addition, anyone found to have been abusing the ostracism of a dedicated soldier needs to be dishonorably discharged. Moreover, if the incident is too extremely abusive against another individual then the soldier that caused the mistreatment should be indicted by the Korean prosecutors. He should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Defense is the prime reason for having a military. It is the government’s first responsibility. Without a strong defense, all other activities are optional or patently unnecessary.
This country's strong military will be imperative in order to keep the Korean people safe, to secure freedom, economic stability and to insure human rights for the future.
We live in a dangerous world. In order to protect Korea, the next generation of Koreans must be willing and able to serve in times of crisis.
This cannot happen as long as there is a feeling of animosity and a lack of respect for the chain of command. Members of the armed forces serve in particularly stressful jobs whether they are in combat, training, or peacetime situation. Unlike most jobs, being a member of the military is a 24-hour a day, 365-day a year job. If a soldier is living a life of isolation and abuse, it just does not end at the end of the work day.
Furthermore, what is necessary is a military ombudsman. He should be an impartial, independent advocate who looks into complaints and mediates a resolution. In the military, the ombudsmen perform these services. They are a source of information, liaison, counseling, and sometimes even guardian angels for soldiers in need and their families.
Ombudsmen must be selected based upon a solid foundation of skills and knowledge. They must receive exhaustive training in the complex issues with which they will be confronted. They must be updated on the latest developments and policy changes. Ombudsmen should only be required to answer to those outside the direct chain of command or to the department of defense.
As long as abuse and demoralizing hierarchy are permitted in the Korean military, these senseless killings and acts of rampage will continue.
The writer is a social studies teacher at Lighthouse International School. He can be reached at elscity@gmail.com.