The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) has determined that disciplinary practices against prospective cadets during basic training before admission to a military academy constitute human rights violations.
The NHRCK announced Wednesday that it recommended on December 26 that the superintendent of the military academy discipline those involved and requested that the Chief of Staff conduct a special inspection of the entire basic training program. The commission also urged the Minister of National Defense to establish a legal framework for pre-admission basic training at military academies and develop fundamental measures for human rights-friendly operations.
The complainant, who was a prospective cadet undergoing basic training, filed a petition with the NHRCK in February, alleging that supervising cadets and instructors subjected them to abuse including physical assault, corporal punishment, verbal abuse, and forced eating.
Some supervising cadets denied the complainant's allegations, stating they "never administered corporal punishment or engaged in inappropriate conduct." However, other respondents, including cadet counselors, acknowledged that disciplinary training of prospective cadets occurred but claimed it was not excessive.
The NHRCK investigation found that numerous prospective cadets experienced physical and psychological harm. During surveys and interviews, multiple statements emerged that trainees were forced to consume large quantities of bread and beverages within a set time, and those who failed to comply had their meals restricted the following day. The NHRCK determined that "training practices including corporal punishment, profanity, humiliating remarks, forced eating, and meal restrictions violated Articles 10 and 12 of the Constitution" and "infringed upon prospective cadets' rights to dignity, general freedom of action, and physical liberty."
The commission further noted that "supervising cadets conducting de facto military discipline training on prospective cadets is likely in violation of relevant laws and regulations." The NHRCK emphasized that this case may not be the misconduct of a few individuals but rather a structural problem stemming from long-standing practices, calling for institutional reforms to prevent recurrence.