Ministry of National Defense Bans Physical Training 'Eolcharyeo' for Trainees

Army, Battalion Commander Level and Above Authorized for Military Discipline Training Approval

The practice of imposing physical training as a form of 'Eolcharyeo' on trainees will be prohibited.

The Ministry of National Defense announced on the 27th, during a 'New Recruit Training Center Accident Recurrence Prevention Measures Meeting' chaired by Vice Minister Kim Seon-ho, that this decision was made. This is a recurrence prevention measure following the death of an Army trainee last month. At that time, the trainee died while undergoing military discipline training that did not comply with regulations, such as running laps around the training ground with full combat gear.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The meeting was attended by key commanders from the Army, Navy, Air Force Chiefs of Staff, and the Marine Corps Deputy Commander.

The Ministry of National Defense explained that, judging that trainees have not yet sufficiently developed their physical strength, physical training activities such as running or walking in full combat gear will be excluded from trainee military discipline training.

In addition, the Army has raised the authority to approve military discipline training from the current company commander level to battalion commander level or higher. However, the Navy and Air Force will maintain the current guidelines due to personnel structure issues.