"Better Than the Military"... 'Newly Renovated After 37 Years' National Military Prison Reconstruction

A Total of 19.8 Billion Won Invested in Construction... Korea's First 'Daytime Lounge' Also Established

The interior of the newly constructed Military Prison after 37 years [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Wooseok] The Armed Forces Correctional Institution, the military's only correction and rehabilitation facility, has been newly constructed for the first time in 37 years, but some voices complain that "the prison is better than the military barracks."

On the 23rd, a completion ceremony was held for the new Armed Forces Correctional Institution building in Janghowon-eup, Icheon-si, Gyeonggi Province. The project, with a total construction cost of 19.8 billion KRW, started in 2020 and was completed in just over two years.

The building consists of two one-story buildings and one two-story building above ground and can accommodate up to 116 people.

Advanced equipment such as breath detection devices, video-linked access control systems, and AI-based perimeter intrusion detection devices were also installed to further enhance working conditions.

Additionally, it is the first correctional facility in Korea to provide a 'dayroom.' The dayroom, a communal resting space for inmates, has been introduced ahead of correctional facilities in advanced countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan.

Following the news of the new Armed Forces Correctional Institution, some netizens cynically remarked that the facilities seem better than those in the military.

Netizen A wrote, "The facilities seem better than most goshiwons (small, cheap rooms). This is a waste of taxpayers' money."

Netizen B expressed concern, saying, "Improving conditions for actual military personnel should be the priority, but it seems to be going the other way, which is unfortunate."

On the other hand, some believed that since it is a newly constructed building, good facilities are inevitable.

Netizen C stated, "You can't expect a prison to never be newly built in a lifetime. Now that it is, I hope it helps with the correction and rehabilitation of inmates."