U.S. Army is working to correct problems at barracks in South Korea after anonymous soldier posted photos allegedly showing mold-infested rooms and accused commanders of ignoring complaints.
The U.S. Army is working to correct problems at barracks in South Korea after an anonymous soldier posted photos allegedly showing mold-infested rooms and accused commanders of ignoring complaints about unhealthy living conditions.
Leaders at Camp Hovey, about 15 miles from the North Korean border, inspected the affected barracks and began maintenance work after identifying deficiencies during a recent changeover of rotational units, said Col. Chris Choi, commander of U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan-Casey.
The problems had been documented and submitted through the Army Maintenance Application before the allegations appeared online on Oct. 20, he said in comments emailed Monday by the 2nd Infantry Division.
“The affected facilities are designated for rotational forces, and the deficiencies were identified during the recent transition between outgoing and incoming units,” he said.
The anonymous post appeared on Hots&Cots, an online platform where service members share photos and reviews of military housing. It said soldiers assigned to 1st Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment were living in rooms with mold and inadequate ventilation.
Photos accompanying the complaint showed a stained mattress and dark substances on bathroom floors, walls and ceilings.
Stars and Stripes could not independently verify the conditions depicted or determine whether the substances were mold.
The poster identified the location as Building 3535 and said soldiers had raised concerns “to the top 5” without receiving help. Instead, they were told to “spray it with a spray,” according to the post.
“We have soldiers getting sick in these barracks and yet nothing,” the soldier wrote. “They refuse to house us anywhere else let alone deal with the issues.”
The regiment began a nine-month deployment on Oct. 16 as the 18th Korea Rotational Force, according to an Army news release. Choi said the unit and installation leaders personally inspected the facilities and Directorate of Public Works personnel have begun addressing the problems.
“Our Soldiers deserve safe, healthy and properly maintained living conditions,” he wrote. “We remain committed to resolving these issues as quickly as possible and ensuring our facilities meet the standards our Soldiers deserve.”
The 2nd Infantry Division “takes concerns involving Soldier health, safety, and quality of life seriously,” command spokesman Lt. Col. Arturo Rodriguez said by email Monday.
The division and garrison are reviewing concerns involving possible mold, bedding and ventilation, he wrote.
Hots&Cots also tagged Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer in a Friday post on X featuring photos of the barracks. The Pentagon named Meyer a senior adviser to its barracks task force last week as part of efforts to address longstanding military housing problems, including mold and maintenance backlogs.
- Security