Hello, I am Jun Ji-hye, a reporter at The Korea Times. I primarily cover financial authorities and write articles on a wide range of topics related to finance and capital markets. If you have any information to share, feel free to email me at jjh@koreatimes.co.kr, and I will review it carefully. I am committed to always doing my best to communicate with readers through high-quality articles.
Defense minister urged to prevent excessive mobilization of troops for civil services
Army personnel shovel snow on the roadside in Sokcho, Gangwon Province, in this Dec. 26, 2021 photo. Yonhap
By Jun Ji-hye
Rights watchdog also calls for safety manuals for soldiers at disaster sites
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) has advised the defense minister to revise related regulations to prevent excessive mobilization of troops for civil services, such as assisting with local festivals hosted by municipalities, beyond genuine security crises.
The recommendation was made on Jan. 4 after the state human rights watchdog carried out its investigation into the military’s safety management for troops, following the death of Marine Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who died on July 18 last year after being swept away by a torrent during search and rescue operations for victims in the wake of severe monsoon rain and flooding.
At the time, public criticism arose as the troops mobilized for the operations in flooded areas searched for victims without wearing life vests.
According to the NHRCK, more than 1.01 million soldiers were mobilized for civil services between January and September of 2022, a dramatic increase of 15.5 times the 65,778 mobilized during the same period in 2013.
The commission said these soldiers were mobilized not only for operations at sites affected by natural disasters such as heavy rain, heavy snow and typhoons, but also for management of social health threats such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the avian influenza epidemic, and for local events hosted by municipalities. Some soldiers were even mobilized to clean up the beaches upon the request of local governments.
“The range of military assistance for civilians has been largely expanded as troops and their equipment can be mobilized quickly at the least expense,” the NHRCK said in a statement, advising the defense minister to revise related regulations to prevent excessive mobilization.
In addition, the rights watchdog called for drawing up safety manuals to be applied to natural disaster sites to which troops are mobilized.
The commission said the defense minister should designate units to be mobilized to disaster sites considering their locations and duties, and unify the command system.
“The primary mission of the military is to protect the people from national security crises. In this regard, the necessity to mobilize soldiers in case of a national disaster is recognized,” the NHRCK said.
“However, it is inappropriate to mobilize them for affairs unrelated to disasters such as local government events.”
The NHRCK launched its investigation into the military’s safety management for troops on July 25 last year following Chae’s death. Around the same time, it said, there were several complaints filed by soldiers who took issue with the unfair and excessive nature of the mobilization.