Minister Seo Wook's Orders Are Not Being Followed [Yang Nakgyu's Defence Club]

A whistleblower who identified themselves as an isolated soldier in a subordinate unit of the Army Command and Signal Command posted a photo of the isolated personnel's lunch menu on the 20th of this month on the Facebook page "Delivered on Behalf of the Army Training Center."
[Photo by "Delivered on Behalf of the Army Training Center" Facebook capture]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Reports of substandard meals for isolated soldiers within the military continue unabated. Despite Defense Minister Seo Wook preparing countermeasures through major commanders' meetings and issuing orders to units, these measures have not been effective.

On the 20th, according to ‘Delivering on behalf of the Army Training Center (Yukdaejeon)’, a whistleblower claiming to be an isolated soldier in a unit under the Armed Forces Command and Communications Command complained, "The meal on the 10th did not include the side dishes and soup listed on the menu, and lunch that day consisted solely of 20 cereal pieces."

The whistleblower said, "It's not like a two-year-old child is eating, but when I complained about the portion size, they just told me to eat it," adding, "When officers took photos of the meals, they deliberately arranged the food to look abundant and shouted 'photography technique' while taking pictures."

Earlier, Yukdaejeon reported claims that on the morning of the 14th, a subordinate unit under Gyeryongdae was provided with substandard meals such as ‘rice, stir-fried kimchi, and squid soup without any solids.’ In response, the Defense Ministry’s Power Resources Management Office posted three photos of the meals provided to isolated soldiers at that time under the title ‘Notice from the Ministry of National Defense.’ The Ministry strongly denied the reports, stating they were false.

However, the Ministry of National Defense changed its stance within a day, confirming that substandard lunchboxes had indeed been received. Contrary to the isolated soldiers’ reports, there were even indications of ‘false reporting’ suggesting that normal meal distribution was taking place. This is completely different from the instructions given by Defense Minister Seo Wook.

Since the initial exposure of ‘substandard meals’ in a brigade under the 51st Division on the 18th of last month, Defense Minister Seo Wook has repeatedly urged his subordinates to treat soldiers like their own children or siblings. On the 28th of that month, he appeared before the National Assembly’s Defense Committee to apologize to the public, and Army Chief of Staff Nam Young-shin also expressed "deep responsibility" and issued orders accordingly.

At the major commanders’ meeting on the 7th of this month, countermeasures to improve the treatment of isolated soldiers for COVID-19 prevention were announced. At that time, the Ministry of National Defense increased the daily meal allowance per soldier by 20% and promoted a system allowing remote orders from military unit convenience stores (PX) via KakaoTalk. On the 14th, the Ministry visited the on-base support unit and instructed commanders to "make every effort to provide warm meals without missing menu items under the principle of ‘proper quantity and balanced distribution.’"

However, the commanders’ orders were merely for publicity. Reports of substandard meals continued to be submitted on social media. Some have even pointed out that ‘the military leadership’s orders are not being enforced on the ground.’ Some experts criticize the Ministry of National Defense and the respective military headquarters for failing to comprehensively prepare countermeasures for the treatment of isolated personnel from the outset.

The awareness of frontline unit commanders and officers is also criticized. It is said that they do not consider the tendencies or preferences of the so-called MZ generation (born between the 1980s and 2000s) at all.

A government official said, “Some commanders tend to think that providing soldiers with cell phones was a mistake,” adding, “There is concern about how long temporary measures will continue to be issued.”

Meanwhile, 13 days after announcing countermeasures at the major commanders’ meeting on the 7th, generals from each branch gathered again to check implementation status and discuss additional improvements. On the 20th at 5:30 p.m., Defense Minister Seo Wook convened a major commanders’ meeting via video conference with the Chiefs of Staff of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, the Marine Corps Commander, as well as Army Corps Commanders, Navy Fleet Commanders, and Air Force commanders of rank or higher.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.