Goyang Army Welfare Facility Baekma Hall
Military Human Rights Center "Not on Menu and Various Privileges"
Army "Taking Issue Seriously, Will Conduct Inspection"

As poor meal services for military personnel continue to be a contentious issue, allegations have now arisen that the command of the Army's 9th Infantry Division enjoyed special privileges by repeatedly requesting off-menu dishes at Baekma Hall, an Army welfare facility in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, sparking controversy.

Last August, a dinner was held at Baekma Hall to encourage the division commander by the executive members of the Chosun University ROTC. Former Division Commander Kim is an alumnus of the Chosun University ROTC. At that time, the hall soldiers made tiramisu with the word "Chosun" written in chocolate powder and attached stickers saying "Like Chosun" on soju bottles, the Center claimed.
[Photo by Military Human Rights Center]

On the 26th, the Center for Military Human Rights (hereafter the Center) held a press conference at its office in Mapo-gu, Seoul, stating, "The division command frequently requested special dishes not listed on the menu, such as a 16-course half-table Korean set meal, fermented skate (hongeo) samhap, gwamegi (half-dried Pacific saury), large yellowtail sashimi, and special desserts like handmade tiramisu prepared by the hall staff."

The Center also claimed, "There was a separate VIP room used for gatherings hosted by the division commander, deputy commander, chief of staff, and the division's senior warrant officer."

Over 9 Months, 9th Division Command Held 120 Meetings at the Hall

A photo from August last year when Kim Jin-cheol, Chief of the Army Logistics Staff, was serving as the commander of the 9th Division, at the Chosun University ROTC Alumni Association Executive Dinner. [Photo by Military Human Rights Center]

According to the Center, from October 18 last year to July 15 this year, spanning about nine months, the 9th Division command held a total of 120 meetings at this hall. During these gatherings, they ordered special menus 12 times, received special desserts including handmade tiramisu 45 times, and special desserts excluding tiramisu 21 times (with some overlap counted when both menu and dessert were provided).

The Center pointed out a representative case where former 9th Division Commander Kim Jin-cheol hosted a meeting for 25 church members in November last year and provided a 16-course half-table Korean set meal.

Additionally, in August last year, a dinner was held at Baekma Hall to encourage the officer corps of the Chosun University ROTC. Former Commander Kim is an alumnus of Chosun University ROTC. The hall staff reportedly made tiramisu with "Chosun" written in chocolate powder and attached stickers saying "Like Chosun" on soju bottles, according to the Center.

The Center asserted, "The hall staff are suffering from overwork exceeding 68 hours per week as they serve not only numerous regular guests but also the command's 'imperial meals'." It added that although the hall staff establishment is two people, a total of ten are working, and two of them have developed patellar cartilage softening and other conditions due to overwork.

Im Tae-hoon, Director of the Center for Military Human Rights (right), is holding a press conference on the "Abuse and Corruption at the 9th Army Division Baekma Hall" on the 26th at the Center for Military Human Rights in Mapo-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Im Tae-hoon, director of the Center, criticized, "Using soldiers to operate welfare facilities is inappropriate even from a manpower management policy perspective." Furthermore, the Center claimed, "Even on the 21st, when the funeral of Corporal Chae Su-geun was underway, the 9th Division command?including the division commander, administrative deputy commander, operations deputy commander, chief of staff, and senior warrant officer?gathered at Baekma Hall under the pretext of a farewell party for the retiring chief of staff and drank alcohol."

The Center for Military Human Rights criticized, "The 9th Division violated regulations by deploying eight non-established personnel," adding, "When welfare-related personnel exceed the authorized number, civilians must be hired, but this was ignored." The Center also stated, "Even on the 21st, during the funeral of Corporal Chae Su-geun, who drowned in a rapid current while searching for missing persons, the 9th Division command drank at Baekma Hall citing the farewell of the chief of staff as the reason," and demanded, "The Ministry of National Defense must investigate the abuse of power and irregularities by former Commander Kim Jin-cheol and current Commander Jeong Gwang-woong."

Army: "We Take This Seriously... Will Investigate and Take Strict Measures"

In a statement released the same day, the Army said, "We take this matter very seriously." It added, "We will thoroughly review the issues raised regarding the operation of the welfare hall at the unit and take strict measures according to laws and regulations against any abnormal operations."

Furthermore, the Army stated, "We will inspect all welfare halls within the Army and pay close attention to the service conditions and working environment of the hall staff."

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