Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee visited the Army's 15th Infantry Division on the 23rd to inspect how military water supply facilities are being operated and to review ways to improve water access for troops, the Ministry of National Defense said.
Lee toured an intake facility at the division that draws water from a valley stream, saying the military should work closely with local governments to expand piped water service to units in remote areas.
"Communicate closely with the relevant agencies and make active efforts so that piped water supply can be meaningfully expanded," he said.
The ministry said expanding piped water supply is its top priority in water facility policy. It is working to raise the share of units connected to piped water, including those on islands and in remote areas near the front line.
For units where geography limits piped water access, the ministry is pursuing alternative measures, such as building intake and purification systems in cooperation with specialized organizations including K-water, the state-run water resources corporation.