August 6, 2012 in response to the recommendation, arguing that such an investigation
should by conducted the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs because “the general
affairs relating to the compensation, protection and support for discharged soldiers are
matters under the jurisdiction" of the Ministry. As such, the Commission recommended
that the head of Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs "assess the condition of the
tinnitus victims of discharged soldiers (including those with hearing difficulties) by
conducting a comprehensive investigation." (September 6, 2012).
J. Recommendation to Improve Policies and Institutional Systems to Instill a
Pro-Human Rights Culture into the Military
The NHRCK observed that the public attention and social concern is growing about
firearm accidents in the Marine Corps, suicides in the military, sexual harassment, those
who fail to adapt to the military environment, and other issues that unfold in the military;
therefore, the Commission judged that it was necessary to develop an integrated plan to
improve the relevant policies and institutional systems in addition to dealing with
individual remedies initiated from complaints.
As such, the Commission formed the “Policy Planning Group to Improve Human
Rights Conditions in the Military." The Group held four discussion sessions and an open
forum meeting to review the results of the investigation into human rights conditions in
the military, cases of complaints and ensuing recommendations, and military legislation in
developed countries. As a result, the Commission made the following recommendations
to the Minister of National Defense (October 11, 2012):
1) To establish “the Military Human Rights Act”;
2) To devise practical solutions to preventing human rights violations such as battery and
harsh acts;
3) To designate the human rights education program as a course that is directly controlled
by the Ministry of National Defense and come up with other measures to raise human
rights sensitivity;
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Part II. Major Activities of the Commission