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Soldiers from the Gyeryongdae Service Support Group, a unit directly under the Ministry of National Defense facing allegations of harsh treatment, were found to have left their unit without authorization to visit restaurants and PC cafes. Critics point out that because guard post duty was also handled by soldiers belonging to the support group, leaving without authorization was easy and detection was difficult.

According to a comprehensive news report by Asia Today on July 29, it was confirmed that there were repeated cases at the support group where belonging soldiers left their unit without permission, either individually or in groups.

A, a veteran who served at the support group, said, "There were instances where soldiers belonging to the support group left the unit without authorization without receiving leave passes," adding, "Since guard post duty was also handled by junior soldiers, the unauthorized leaves were not reported to officers. It was also difficult to report due to fear of retaliation."

A added, "There was even an instance where a senior soldier made a junior soldier take over his guard post duty, then left the unit to visit a PC cafe and a sauna," adding, "The junior soldier standing guard in his place was caught during roll call."

Allegations were also raised that there was retaliation against internal whistleblowers. A said, "After the identity of a soldier who internally reported an unauthorized departure was revealed, he was ostracized by his peers," adding, "Retaliation followed, such as instructing junior soldiers not to greet the whistleblower and treating him poorly."

In fact, over the past five years, cases of unauthorized departures by soldiers belonging to the support group totaled 21. An official from the support group stated, "After investigating the facts for each case, disciplinary measures were taken in accordance with relevant laws and regulations." When the support group investigated the spending records of soldiers who left without authorization, it was confirmed that they used restaurants, PC cafes, and taxis.

However, the support group handled these cases not as desertion, but as violations of the duty prohibiting departure from duty stations or units. An official from the support group explained, "During the investigation and disciplinary process, confirmed cases were processed as 'violations of the prohibition on leaving duty stations' or 'violations of the prohibition on leaving units.'"

As allegations of harsh treatment and unauthorized departures mounted, Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-back personally ordered an audit. An official from the Ministry of National Defense stated, "Considering the severity and objectivity of the matter regarding allegations of harsh treatment at the support group, Minister Ahn ordered the Ministry's Inspector General's Office to conduct an audit," adding, "Strict measures will be taken according to the results of the investigation."

An official from the support group said, "We will re-examine our access management and command and supervision systems and strengthen preventive and access control education for soldiers," adding, "We will step up management and supervision to prevent similar cases from recurring."

                                                                                                              Lee Han-sol