<Anchor> The
Army Training Center has banned trainees from brushing their teeth and washing their faces for three days, and even restricted the use of toilets. The military explained that it was a measure to prevent corona infection, but controversy over human rights violations is rising.
This is reporter Hak-Hwi Kim.
<Reporter>
You cannot go to the bathroom when you want, and you should only use the toilet at a set time.
I brushed my teeth for the first time on the 5th and 6th day of admission, and took my first shower a week later.
This is an anonymous post posted on social media saying that this is the reality of the Army Training Center's trainees.
It was argued that the training center is implementing excessive quarantine guidelines, such as prohibiting showering, brushing teeth and washing, and limiting the time of use of the toilet.
The Military Human Rights Center, which confirmed the contents of the report, criticized the violation of human rights in the way of controlling defecation.
[Bang Hye-rin / Military Human Rights Center Counseling Support Team Leader: My basic needs, such as urine or feces, are not endured just because I endure them, but under the name of quarantine and control, I infringe on individual needs too much... .] As the
controversy grew, the military began to clarify.
It is said that brushing and washing teeth were inevitably restricted until the 3rd day of enlistment, when the results of the diagnostic test are shown after admission.
[Kim Jin-Tae/Army Public Affairs Manager: We will carefully manage with careful attention in terms of living conditions.]
Soldiers who have gone on vacation must live in quarantine for a certain period of time after returning, but there are reports that the meals provided at this time are poor.
The Ministry of Defense said it would directly inspect the meals of quarantined soldiers by field commanders.