Military under fire for allegedly violating human rights in COVID-19 measures
An Army officer in protective clothing guides trainees entering the Republic of Korea Army Training Center in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province, in this Dec. 28, 2020 photo. Yonhap
By Jung Da-min
A controversy is arising over the military's alleged excessive COVID-19 quarantine measures, which critics say violate the basic human rights of service members.
According to the Center for Military Human Rights Korea, a human rights civic group, conscripts at the Republic of Korea Army Training Center are being treated poorly under the center's measures.
They are allegedly banned from brushing their teeth and washing their face for three days after arriving at the center and are not allowed to take a shower for eight to 10 days under the name of “anti-virus measures,” according to a report by the group released Monday.
“We have confirmed that trainees enter the training center every Monday, and all of the admitted trainees undergo preventive quarantine. … They receive a first PCR test on Tuesday and they are not allowed to brush their teeth nor wash their face until the results come out Wednesday,” the report said, adding trainees were only allowed to go to the toilet at specific times and taking a shower was impossible.
“In addition, the training center conducts a second PCR test before releasing trainees from preventive quarantine. Once the second test results come out, trainees are then allowed to take a shower, brush their teeth, wash their face and use the toilet without restrictions. But it takes about eight to 10 days.”
The Army said such measures were inevitable in order to prevent COIVD-19 from spreading at the Army Training Center in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province, the largest training institution for the entire military with over 120,000 conscripts entering annually.
“Bottled water is provided and gargling is allowed for trainees to rinse out their mouth for three days, while those with dental-related diseases are allowed to brush their teeth. Taking a shower is allowed from the third day if the first PCR test is negative,” the Army said in a statement. “If a trainee urgently needs to use the toilet, he is allowed to go to the toilet in another building after we disinfect it.”
The Army said its strict preventive measures have been effective so far, with only 27 coronavirus infections confirmed at the center since last year, as of April 21.
But some people say such measures are too harsh considering other conditions at the training center where many trainees have to share space.
“It's been more than a year since the COVID-19 pandemic situation started but the military is still using the old accommodations for soldiers and trainees. I don't see it as a rational decision,” said Lee, 26, from Seoul. “Even if the military could prevent COVID-19 from spreading with such excessive measures, I'm concerned that trainees could get sick in such a poor state of hygiene.”
But Koo, 25, also a Seoul resident, said there appeared to be no other choice for the Army center with its current facilities where conscripts inevitably come into contact with each other while showering or using the toilets.