[2023 National Audit] Overseas Deployed Troops Bringing Alcohol... Light Punishment

Analysis of Joint Chiefs of Staff Audit Data by National Defense Committee Member Seol Hoon

Incidents and accidents involving overseas dispatch troops are occurring one after another. In August 2021, three officers, including the commander of the 25th contingent of the Lebanon Dongmyeong Unit, returned early due to corruption charges, and although misconduct has continued, it has been revealed that only light disciplinary actions were taken.

According to data submitted by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Seol Hoon, a member of the National Defense Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, there were 12 incidents (15 personnel) in 2021, 13 incidents (14 personnel) in 2022, and as of the end of August 2023, 12 incidents (18 personnel), totaling 37 incidents (47 personnel) involving overseas dispatch troops.

This year, incidents related to drinking, such as unauthorized alcohol consumption and illegal importation of alcoholic beverages, also occurred. Although the Joint Chiefs of Staff instructed to "improve drinking guidelines" in March 2022 and May 2023, these measures proved ineffective.

Compared to the reasons for disciplinary action, all punishments were light. Among the 37 disciplinary cases against overseas dispatch troops over the past three years, 10 cases were resolved without a disciplinary committee, ending with a written warning from the commander, known as a non-request warning. All disciplinary actions were minor penalties such as reprimands, warnings, and salary reductions.

Seol Hoon stated, "Overseas dispatch troops serve as South Korea's military diplomats, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff must strengthen thorough pre-deployment education and monitoring of dispatched units, and ensure appropriate disciplinary actions are taken against misconduct."

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