[Exclusive] "Erase all traces of contact with me" - NCO tried to hide drinking incident... Navy's excessive 'covering for their own'

Candidate Accused of Drinking Attempts Evidence Tampering... Witness Statements Also Confirm 'Drinking'
Navy Dismisses Charges Based on Candidate's Explanation Alone... Fairness Controversy Arises
Marine Corps Candidates Also Reported Drinking Party... Commissioning Ceremony Scheduled for 10th as Planned

The above photo is not related to the article content. Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] “OO, I’m XX from Wonsan. Coordinate the story about that day’s arrival, and erase all traces of our contact.”

This is the content of a phone call between candidate A, a naval warrant officer suspected of bringing alcohol into the barracks during training before the naval warrant officer commissioning ceremony, and a junior non-commissioned officer. It is presumed that after the Naval Education Command launched a full investigation into the drinking incident, even involving the military police, Sergeant A urgently tried to destroy evidence by borrowing someone else’s phone. The junior non-commissioned officer appearing in the recorded call obtained by this outlet visited the barracks during training carrying ‘something’ on Sergeant A’s orders and met with him.

Evidence supporting the drinking by warrant officer candidates at the Naval Education Command is gradually emerging. However, despite sufficient evidence such as testimonies and call recordings proving the drinking, the Navy has sparked controversy by not imposing any punishment, citing that the parties involved denied the allegations.

▶Refer to our July 7 report 'Navy has more than a dozen non-commissioned officers who drank... unprecedented delay of commissioning ceremony'

RFID Entry Records and Witness Testimonies Confirm ‘Drinking’… Only the Parties Deny

According to the Navy and the National Assembly’s Defense Committee on the 9th, the Navy held an education evaluation committee on the 7th to decide whether to dismiss those involved in the drinking incident. A total of 10 candidates attended the committee on charges of drinking. They were identified as having consumed alcohol based on testimonies from three non-commissioned officers previously dismissed and those who helped bring in alcohol.

However, it was confirmed that six of them were cleared of charges. They testified that they did not drink, and there was no evidence to refute their statements. Among the remaining four, two were confirmed to have brought in alcohol, and one who neglected to report it and one who contacted outsiders were found guilty, but they also avoided dismissal. The Navy assigned demerit points to them and ordered special tasks. This amounts to a slap-on-the-wrist punishment.

Early Detected Cases ‘Dismissed’, Late Detected Cases ‘Demerits’... Inconsistent Punishment Standards

This decision has caused internal discord within the Navy. The three previously dismissed non-commissioned officers were punished severely without even attending the education evaluation committee or having a chance to explain themselves, raising fairness issues. According to the Navy Basic Military Training Unit’s training evaluation regulations, parties involved in incidents must be given a final opportunity to explain themselves to avoid unfavorable decisions. However, the Navy dismissed these individuals without referring them to the committee, simply because they admitted to drinking.

There are also many suspicious aspects regarding the punishment of the 10 non-commissioned officers referred to the committee on the 7th after drinking suspicions surfaced late. According to the ‘Investigation Report on Warrant Officer Candidates’ Drinking,’ candidate B among them was named by previously dismissed candidate C as a habitual drinker. Furthermore, preliminary interviews and first and second statements after the incident contained contradictory content, indicating attempts to conceal the incident, yet no significant punishment was imposed.

Sergeant D, who was highly rated throughout training and served as a candidate representative, is in a similar situation. Junior non-commissioned officers Sergeant E and Sergeant F testified that they delivered 640ml of soju and 4 to 6 cans of beer on June 21 and 24 respectively, but the Navy accepted only Sergeant D’s denial.

Trying to Stop a Problem with a Bigger Problem... Navy Losing Objectivity

Issuing completely opposite punishments for the same drinking circumstances, the three non-commissioned officers previously dismissed are reportedly preparing administrative lawsuits and personnel appeals. Those dismissed have their commissioning nullified and must retain their previous ranks, while the others will receive warrant officer insignia if they attend the commissioning ceremony as planned.

The Navy’s initial response to this incident has also come under scrutiny. When the Navy first received reports of misconduct by candidates, the Basic Military Training Unit, which oversees their education, conducted investigations. However, when some candidates were caught smoking during training but only received demerit points without proper punishment, the Naval Education Command’s Inspection Office was deployed to conduct a full investigation. Smoking, like drinking, is a Class A offense warranting dismissal. Nevertheless, despite the Inspection Office uncovering about 10 additional cases, the education evaluation committee composed solely of Basic Military Training Unit officers rejected dismissal for these individuals.

Another Drinking Incident Reported Amid Navy’s Inadequate Response... Navy Plans to Proceed with Commissioning Ceremony

Moreover, on the morning of the 8th, the day after the lenient punishments, another drinking incident was reported to the Naval Education Command’s Inspection Office. Among the 66 warrant officer candidates in training, 13 belong to the Marine Corps. According to the report, a birthday party was held in the barracks for a Marine candidate, where alcohol was brought in and drinking took place. It is said that except for 2 to 3 individuals, most of the Marine candidates attended the party. The Inspection Office has begun reinvestigating this case.

Nonetheless, the Navy maintains its position to hold the 61st warrant officer candidate commissioning ceremony as scheduled at 2 p.m. on the 10th. Even if drinking charges are later proven, warrant officers cannot be demoted due to their distinct job categories. Therefore, punishments after the ceremony may be limited to mild disciplinary actions such as reprimands.

Quotation Mark

Regarding this, a Navy official explained, “The education evaluation committee judged that there was no conclusive evidence to prove drinking, so no additional dismissals were made. Accordingly, the commissioning ceremony is expected to proceed as planned.” On the drinking allegations involving Marine candidates reported later, the official said, “We do not yet know the exact facts and will verify further. If charges are proven after the ceremony, we plan to impose strict punishments.”