[Column] The Navy, which downplayed and avoided the incident, took the wrong approach to managing the situation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Organizations reveal the expertise they have accumulated over time in crisis situations. I have never heard of an organization that hurriedly tries to hide and downplay faults ultimately achieving what it wants. The worst choice is attempting to root out 'whistleblowers' within.

Our publication recently reported on two occasions about drinking incidents during the training period of Navy warrant officer candidates. Starting from an anonymous tip, the Navy did not provide any clear or satisfactory answers. At first, they tried to downplay the incident by saying only three people shared two bottles of beer, but when a full investigation revealed about ten more suspected drinkers, they responded by refusing to cooperate with the investigation, saying "it has not yet been confirmed."

There were claims of 'fairness' issues regarding the inconsistent punishments by the education evaluation committee for those who drank, so we requested an explanation. The Navy’s general statement that strong punishment would be imposed if the allegations were proven showed no sincerity, as evidenced by the Navy and Marine Corps warrant officer candidates’ commissioning ceremony being held on the 10th despite the situation. If those accused of drinking are commissioned as warrant officers, demotion is impossible even if the allegations are later confirmed. The candidates who had their training canceled after being confirmed as offenders first are raising fairness concerns about being deprived of promotion opportunities.

Although the reporter obtained and reported on phone call recordings containing evidence of concealment and attempts to destroy evidence by the accused drinkers, as well as the Navy’s accident investigation report, the Navy is attempting to 'stonewall' the issue by not providing any meaningful response despite clear evidence. Their entire reply was "We have not yet confirmed the phone call recordings," raising doubts about whether they even intend to verify them.

Meanwhile, there are rumors that the Navy has started trying to identify the whistleblower who provided decisive evidence to the reporter. Drinking incidents involving officers who should set an example for Navy personnel are not a simple matter. Moreover, in this case, the investigation proceeded only because of the whistleblowing; according to internal Navy sources, drinking during training periods has been widespread.

The Navy must now conduct a thorough investigation of the incident and decide on fair punishment. Those who denied drinking until the end received no punishment. On the other hand, those who honestly admitted their wrongdoing were stripped of their warrant officer commissioning qualifications. The important thing is to restore discipline within the Navy and identify and improve systemic shortcomings that allowed such incidents to occur. The Navy must not make the mistake of downplaying the issue or creating undeserved scapegoats out of concern for immediate reputation damage.