Recommendations and the Expression of Opinions to Improve Human Rights Situation in the ROK Marine Corps Based on the On-site Investigation Results
- Necessary Changes: Updating seawater desalination facilities, improving the salary system, and changing bad practices in Marine Corps barracks -
□ The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) conducted on-site investigations of six ROK Marine Corps units from April to May 2024 to assess the living conditions, barracks culture, and the protection of Marine Corps personnel’s rights.
□ The investigation revealed that, in units stationed in island regions, most of the shower filters were discolored due to rust, indicating poor water quality. In some units, there were periods of "water control" during which water usage had to be minimized due to seawater pump malfunctions, mainly affected by weather issues. During these periods, certain restrictions were in place: soldiers were forced to take very short showers and could not enjoy soup during meals.
□ In addition, it was found that officers performing border defense missions worked more than 100 hours of overtime per month. The Ministry of National Defense established the "Regulations on Overtime Pay for Military Personnel" on January 1st, 2024, to increase the maximum overtime hours from 57 to 100 per month for soldiers stationed at coastal and riverside units on 24-hour missions. However, the regulations still fail to address the issues of compensation for overtime exceeding 100 hours and the lack of compensation for soldiers in non-border units whose duty also involves a 24-hour shift.
□ The investigation also highlighted other issues that need to be addressed: providing a place to rest for night shift workers and a separated space for changing to ensure soldiers’ privacy; changing improper conduct that still exists in modern marine barracks; and strengthening the education and promotion of various human rights protection measures including the Military Human Rights Protection Officer system.
□ In response, the Committee of Human Rights in the Military under the NHRCK expressed the following opinions to the Minister of National Defense: 1) The army needs to ensure a clean water supply to soldiers stationed in island regions by modernizing the seawater desalination facilities and preparing a concrete plan for emergency water supply for times of water shortages; 2) its salary system should be improved by designating soldiers who serve in 24-hour operation units as “on-site public officials” so that they receive fair compensation for their working hours. To the Commander of the Marine Corps, the Commission recommended: 1) providing a place to rest for night shift workers and a separated space where soldiers can change clothes without being exposed; 2) studying potentially harmful customs in the Marine Corps culture and launching a concrete plan to improve the situation; and 3) strengthening education and promotion of the rights protection measures and the Military Human Rights Protection Officer system to enhance the protection of Marines’ rights.
* On-site public officials: Government employees whose duty involves a 24-hour shift and naturally requires many overtime hours.
