Korea's Army moves to overhaul drinking culture

South Korea's Army has launched a campaign to overhaul its deep-rooted heavy drinking culture, official sources said Sunday.

"The Army's top command started a campaign to discourage excess drinking among troops in late July," an insider said.

The move is aimed at keeping rank-and-file troops more healthy and combat ready at a time when there is an escalation of threats from North Korea.

He said that notices have been issued to remind military personnel to give up bad habits such as forcing people to drink boilermakers, passing out drinking cups and going to two or three separate restaurants or bars during the course of an evening. Military personnel have also been told of the serious consequences of driving while intoxicated.

The latest drive is necessary because in a hierarchical military culture, subordinates are oftentimes unable to turn down a drink offered by their superiors which can lead to all sorts of health and even disciplinary problems. Such developments have hurt the Army's public image and are seen as detrimental to the service's overall fighting capability.

To enforce the campaign, the Army, which has a tradition of heavy drinking among its leaders, said it ordered battalion-level officers to hold weekly meetings with senior subordinates to remind them not to engage in heavy drinking when holding meetings.

Unit commanders have been told to report if they are planning a get-together drinking session, with the person in charge to make certain that all of his or her subordinates get home safety after such events.

Commanders have also been instructed to discourage troops from drinking excessively when they go on leave. (Yonhap)