"Promised Remodeling but No Follow-up Actions"
Earlier This Month, Official Residence Water Quality Management Also Exposed
Interior view of the officer dormitory at Gyeryongdae, Chungnam, revealed on the Facebook page 'Delivered on behalf of the Army Training Center' on the 24th. Photo by Facebook capture
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Park] A junior military officer who served at Gyeryongdae in Chungnam exposed the poor conditions of the officers' dormitory and urged for facility improvements.
On the 24th, a post titled "Dormitory Notice from 25 Years Ago" was uploaded on the Facebook page "Delivering Army Training Center News." A person identified as Officer A, who served at Gyeryongdae, shared four photos, saying, "These are pictures of the dormitory where I lived."
Officer A described the dormitory conditions, saying, "Four people have to share a cramped bathroom, and clothes must be stored in wardrobes full of mold," adding, "The dormitory is not managed at all." The photos he shared showed a dormitory living rules notice dated March 1997, well past its posting date.
According to Officer A, some officers have moved out of the dormitory to rent one-room apartments separately. He said, "Those who moved out pay over 400,000 won per month to live outside," and "The housing allowance provided to soldiers is 80,000 won per month."
He also pointed out that although the military promised remodeling, no follow-up actions have been taken. Officer A lamented, "While individual experiences varied, many who lived in the dormitory complained of bronchitis," and "They provide dormitories unfit for habitation and have only been saying for years that 'remodeling will be carried out promptly.'"
He continued, "I believe that soldiers' barracks facilities should be improved quickly, but I am reporting this with the hope that the dormitories for us junior officers will also be improved," adding, "I hope a personal space where one can relax comfortably after work will be provided."
On the 7th, a photo of a shower filter was posted on the Facebook page 'Delivering Army Training Center News on Behalf' to expose the water quality conditions of the barracks at Gangnam Seocho Training Center. Photo by Facebook capture
Earlier, on the 7th, there was also a revelation about water quality management in military housing. Officer B, who identified himself as a 9-year veteran serving at the Gangnam Seocho Reserve Forces Training Unit, shared a photo of a shower filter used for about a month, stating, "The water quality management in the unit's housing is not properly maintained." He explained, "Since around August to September last year when I was transferred in and started living in the unit dormitory, I felt itchy after showering, and rust-colored water was continuously detected," adding, "I began to experience skin troubles." He also mentioned that in winter, the boiler often does not work properly, resulting in frequent cold showers.
Subsequently, the unit issued a statement in response to Officer B's post. The unit stated, "The showerheads in the dormitory have been replaced with products containing filters to check for additional foreign substances, and alternative accommodations are being arranged for residents wishing to relocate," promising, "We will continue to pay close attention and make efforts to improve soldiers' residential welfare and living conditions."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
