NHRCK Announces Results of the 2025 Military Human Rights Monitoring Program
– 285 Suggestions Received from Service Members on Improving Work Environment, Military Service Systems, and Health Rights –
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK, Chairperson Ahn Chang-ho) announced that it received 285 suggestions for improvement concerning the work environment, military service systems, and health rights through a total of 163 field reports submitted by 50 members of the 2025 Military Human Rights Monitoring Program.
Background of the Program
Pursuant to Article 19 of the National Human Rights Commission Act, the NHRCK launched the 2025 Military Human Rights Monitoring Program to assess the current human rights situation within the armed forces and to identify practical issues requiring improvement.
Following an open recruitment process in April, 50 participants were selected from 137 applicants, including active-duty officers, non-commissioned officers (NCOs), enlisted soldiers, civilian employees (non-military staff working within military units), military family members (spouses or parents of service members), and veterans.
The program was conducted from May to November 2025 over five sessions, during which participants identified and proposed solutions to human rights issues in military life based on their experiences and areas of concern.
Findings and Major Areas of Concern
After reviewing the suggestions submitted by the monitoring members, the NHRCK categorized them into six human rights domains (A–F). The top three areas of concern were:
1. Barracks culture and work environment (D): 104 cases (36.5%) (including issues related to discipline, daily life, and interpersonal relations within military bases)
2. Personnel management, service systems, and protection of rights (E): 85 cases (29.8%) (matters such as working hours, leave approval, and grievance handling)
3. Medical services and welfare (A): 58 cases (20.4%)
Key Examples of Reported Issues
1. Extended work hours through group chat platforms:
In some units, KakaoTalk(a widely used mobile messaging app in Korea) group chat rooms were reportedly used as channels for work-related instructions outside official working hours, resulting in de facto overtime and violations of the right to rest.
2. Limited access to medical care in remote postings:
Personnel stationed in front-line, remote, or maritime units (including border areas and isolated island outposts) reported difficulties in accessing timely medical care and suggested introducing systems such as pre-approved emergency treatment, telemedicine, and mobile medical teams.
3. Gaps in medical and welfare access for civilian employees:
Civilian employees(non-military staff working within military units) often work under similar conditions as active service members but face unequal access to healthcare services, such as restrictions on prescription medications and use of military hospitals.
4. Complicated and discretionary leave approval process:
The approval system for enlisted soldiers’ leave and off-base passes involves multiple levels of authorization without a fixed timeline, leading to inconsistent decisions by commanding officers and concerns over violations of the right to rest and privacy.
Trends by Service Category
The most frequent themes by group were as follows:
1. Enlisted soldiers: Protection of the right to rest (leave, off-base stays, etc.)
2. Junior officers and NCOs: Challenges in unit management, workload, and mental health support
3. Civilian employees: Elimination of discriminatory practices and improvement of welfare conditions (as they often perform similar tasks to soldiers but are excluded from certain benefits)
Next Steps
Based on the findings of the 2025 monitoring program, the NHRCK plans to incorporate these results into its military human rights action plan.
The Commission will continue to conduct on-site investigations, fact-finding missions, and policy recommendations to address systemic issues related to working conditions, service systems, health rights, and organizational culture, ensuring more effective protection and promotion of human rights within the Korean military.
