public in the process of arrest and transfer and inflict personal humiliation; iv) restrict the
use of handcuffs on people who have wrist injuries, disabilities, or no risk of flight or
resisting arrest; v) ensure that blood circulation is not disrupted by excessive pressure and
prevent unnecessary injuries; and vi) make sure that prompt medical services are offered
when injuries were inflicted by the use of handcuffs.
2）Suo Moto Investigation: Cover-up Attempts of Wide-spread Brutality in X Division of the
Marine Corps
The Commission decided to launch suo moto investigation in January 2011 after
uncovering during the course of investigating a complaint of battery by a junior soldier
against senior soldiers in the Marine Corps that the abuse and brutality within the Marine
Corp was more intense and wide-spread than other branches of the military and there was a
culture of cover-up by commanding officers in the name of Marine Corps spirit and
discipline.
The investigation validated a number of allegations of brutality by senior soldiers who
justified the abuse by blaming misbehaviors of junior soldiers or citing disciplinary needs.
Examples of lynch and brutality included assault, slapping with slippers, forcing to grasp
horizontal bars, imposing physical exertion such as push-ups, kicking the chest, placing a
pen or scissors between the index and the middle fingers and twisting the fingers, and
forcing to eat. More importantly, there were officers who attempted to cover up incidents
by taking internal administrative actions after acknowledging victims suffering injuries as
serious as fractured ribs and sternum requiring hospitalizing without notifying the division
commander as required.
The Commission confirmed wide-spread and repetitive culture of abuse and brutality
within the X division, which was in clear violation of ‘the Decree on Military Service’
policy that stipulates that ‘soldiers, under any circumstances, should not be subject to
vindictive disciplinary measures’. At the same time, it was also in violation of the right to
safety and freedom of body guaranteed by the Constitution. The Commission pinpointed
82
Part II. Major Activities of the Commission