Human Rights Commission: "Facilities such as Restrooms at Army and Marine Corps Recruit Training Centers Must Be Improved"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] The National Human Rights Commission announced on the 30th that it has recommended the Army Chief of Staff and the Marine Corps Commandant to improve facilities such as barracks and restrooms to enhance the human rights of trainees.

The improvements recommended by the Human Rights Commission include ▲ securing an appropriate size of trainee living quarters with a minimum area of 10㎡ per person according to the Ministry of National Defense facility standards ▲ supplementing the regulations on the replacement cycle of essential facilities in the barracks to reflect wear and tear based on usage frequency ▲ improving the supply system to individually provide canteens as personal equipment upon enlistment to ensure hygiene.

In addition, the Human Rights Commission additionally recommended the Army Chief of Staff to improve traditional restroom facilities and open public telephone facilities. Furthermore, it recommended the Marine Corps Commandant to improve open urinals by installing partitions.

This recommendation by the Human Rights Commission follows the results of the first military unit visit survey conducted since the introduction of the Military Human Rights Protection Officer system last year. The Commission stated, "We plan to continue our interest and efforts to improve the human rights situation of military personnel."