Page 313 - 2018 Defense White Paper

| Eradicate Human Rights Violations in the Military | Despite self-directed efforts to protect the human
rights of servicemembers, verbal abuse, physical assault, cruelties, and other human rights violations within
the military undermined the public’s trust toward the ROK Armed Forces.
To raise awareness on human rights in the military and foster a human-rights–friendly barracks culture,
the Committee for the Eradication of Deep-Rooted Evils in the Military recommended a number of actions
including the following: establishing a human rights protection control tower; developing a human rights
evaluation index and improving the evaluation system; reinforcing support and protection for victims of
human rights violation; and improving potentially violative rules and regulations that include those requiring
enlisted members to stay in certain areas during off-post visits.
The MND plans to set up a control tower that coordinates human rights activities, commission a research
project to develop a human rights evaluation index and select 10 division-level units for pilot application in
2019. The MND has been addressing possible human rights violations in the military by enhancing protection
for victims of human rights violation, promoting reimbursement claims against violators, and abolishing the
regulation requiring cadets to report their relationship status. Also, the MND is currently working with the
relevant ministries to lessen the suffering of discharged members who died or sustained serious injury or
diseases during service, including their family members, and help them lead normal lives by providing
government-level support for therapy in addition to financial compensation. As for the area restrictions during
leaves and off-post visits, the MND plans to review and improve the relevant rules and regulations through
comprehensive consideration of the basic rights of servicemembers, shared growth with local communities,

and maintenance of military readiness posture.

| Promote Whistleblowing in the Military | Whistleblowing poses an organization with an opportunity
to cleanse itself of corruption and irregularities. However, it has been pointed out that whistleblowing is
discouraged because of numerous factors including organizations trying to uncover the identity of the
whistleblower, unwanted disclosure of personal information, and disadvantages in personnel affairs.
The committee recommended introducing remedies and regulations against possible disadvantages
faced by whistleblowers and mandatory education programs. They also proposed an integrity ombudsman
program where external experts ensure the fairness and transparency of investigations and actions against
corruption and irregularities within the military.
The MND broadened the scope of whistleblowers protected under the law by including those who reported
violations of laws within the MND’s jurisdiction. The MND also enhanced protection for whistleblowers by, for
example, introducing stricter punishment for commanders who failed to take appropriate actions to protect
them. Also, the MND launched the integrity ombudsman program to involve civilian experts in investigations
of corruption and irregularities in the military.

Special Appendix 1 Results of the Activities of the Committee for the Eradication of Deep-Rooted Evils in the Military 311