Air Force 'Hwangje Soldier' Delivers Laundry to Parents Weekly (Comprehensive)

On the 8th, when the military leave that had been restricted to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was resumed normally, soldiers departing on leave were waiting for the train at Seoul Station. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] The so-called "emperor soldier" who caused controversy in the Air Force was confirmed to have handed over his laundry to his parents during family visitation hours every weekend.

On the 24th, the Air Force announced the results of an inspection investigation regarding preferential treatment allegations surrounding Corporal A, who belongs to the headquarters of the 3rd Brigade under the Air Defense Missile Command. It stated, "A, who was transferred to the unit last September, usually handed over his laundry to his parents during family visitation hours every weekend."

Corporal A was previously accused through a Blue House petition of Δhaving laundry and drinking water delivered by non-commissioned officers Δusing a single-person dormitory Δunauthorized absence from duty Δpreferential assignment within the unit. The Air Force formed an inspection team and has been investigating since the 12th regarding the so-called "emperor soldier" controversy, where it was alleged that A enjoyed various privileges by leveraging his parents' wealth at an Air Force unit in Seoul.

The Air Force stated that among the various allegations, only some facts were confirmed regarding laundry and drinking water delivery by non-commissioned officers and unauthorized absence from duty. In this regard, the military police are conducting a separate investigation into whether there was any quid pro quo.

According to the Air Force, at the end of February, when visits were restricted to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), A requested his department supervisor, saying, "Due to skin conditions (folliculitis, dermatitis), it is difficult to use the dormitory's shared washing machine, so please help me wash my clothes at home through my parents." The supervisor testified during the inspection that from March to May, laundry was handed over 13 times as a measure to resolve the "soldier's difficulties."

However, the Air Force explained that during the process of receiving and returning the laundry from A's parents, bottled water was also presumed to have been included in the bag. Whether the supervisor received any separate compensation from A's parents during this process is under separate investigation by the military police.

The Air Force also confirmed that A went out a total of nine times for outpatient treatment after transferring to the unit, all with the approval of the department head, stating, "The desertion allegations are not true." However, regarding the circumstances where A stopped by home instead of returning immediately after hospital treatment, the military police have registered the case as unauthorized absence and are investigating. The Air Force's position is that the originally raised allegations through the national petition?▲ exclusive use of the dormitory ▲ complaints by A's parents about shower room repairs ▲ preferential assignment to specific positions?were found to be groundless.

Although A was approved for exclusive use of the dormitory for two weeks from the 3rd to the 17th of this month, the Air Force explained that this decision was based on a doctor's note submitted after A returned from outpatient treatment with a high fever of 37.8 degrees Celsius, requiring two weeks of observation.

Regarding the suspicion that the unit repaired the shower room due to requests or complaints from A's parents, the Air Force said this was done under the direction of the previous 3rd Brigade commander and confirmed that "the predecessor never met or spoke with A's parents."

An Air Force official said, "So far, the inspection investigation has identified poor command supervision of the soldier in the unit and inadequate performance of duties according to regulations and procedures," and apologized, saying, "We apologize to the public for causing concern regarding the preferential treatment allegations raised through the national petition."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.