NHRCK Recommends Improvement of Military Facilities for Female Soldiers in GOP Units to the Minister of National Defense
- Following on-site inspections, NHRCK calls for improvements to accommodations and essential facilities for female soldiers, as well as diversification of training equipment -
□ The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (Chairperson Ahn Chang-ho, hereinafter “NHRCK”) conducted on-site investigations into the overall human rights situation of female soldiers stationed in the Army’s General Outpost (GOP) units. The investigations were carried out in accordance with Article 50-4 of the National Human Rights Commission Act, covering a total of 25 Army units between June and November 2024. The on-site inspections included surveys, field visits, and interviews.
□ Based on the findings, the Committee on Human Rights in the Military of the NHRCK (Subcommittee Chair Kim Yong-won, Human Rights Protector for Military) issued the following recommendations to the Minister of National Defense on June 4, 2025:
○ Provision of restrooms, accommodations, and essential facilities for female soldiers in accordance with relevant regulations
The investigation found that in some units, essential facilities for female soldiers were either non-existent or had to be shared with kitchen staff; in other cases, the number of toilets was insufficient. In some newly constructed buildings, such facilities were completely absent or provided externally via container-type units. NHRCK determined that these issues require improvement in accordance with existing regulations.
○ Ensuring the safety of female soldiers’ living conditions
Under the “Defense and Military Facilities Standards,” essential facilities for female soldiers must be equipped with security bars and electronic door locks. However, some units lacked such installations in both essential facilities and living quarters. Accordingly, NHRCK found that improvements are needed to ensure compliance with the relevant standards.
○ Guaranteeing privacy and rest for female GOP outpost leaders
Workspaces for female GOP outpost leaders are designed to also serve as living quarters, with beds installed within the office space. Due to the nature of their duties, these spaces are frequently accessed by subordinate officers and enlisted soldiers, raising concerns about the exposure of personal privacy and interference with rest or sleep. Therefore, NHRCK concluded that living spaces should be separated from workspaces.
○ Diversification of training equipment sizes and formulation of supply plans
The investigation also revealed that many female soldiers reported discomfort due to uniforms and training gear—such as combat uniforms, boots, and helmets—that do not fit their body types properly.
Although the Ministry of National Defense has established a plan under the “2023–2027 Basic Plan for Military Welfare” to enhance combat readiness by optimizing and lightening military uniforms for various operational environments, the NHRCK found no specific plan addressing the optimization of clothing and gear suited to the needs of female soldiers.
Therefore, the NHRCK recommends that the Ministry incorporate into its implementation plan the development of female-specific uniforms tailored to gender-specific characteristics and the design and distribution of training equipment that takes into account the body types and specific needs of female soldiers.
