Minister Seo Wook Bowing His Head: "An Investigation Without Suspicion"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Ministry of National Defense Joint Press Corps · Asia Economy Military Specialist Reporter Yang Nak-gyu]On the 2nd, Minister of National Defense Seo Wook met with the bereaved family of a female Air Force non-commissioned officer who was sexually harassed by a superior during military service and then took her own life, promising, "We will investigate thoroughly without any doubt."

Minister Seo stated this during a meeting with the parents of the late Sergeant Lee at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, saying, "We will reveal every detail of the secondary harm and the actions taken by the commanders to ensure that Sergeant Lee's death is not in vain, and we will do our best."

Sitting down with an apology, Minister Seo said, "I am also a father of two daughters like Sergeant Lee. I will investigate every detail with the heart of caring for a daughter." He added, "The military prosecution is leading the investigation, but various civilian experts will also participate and assist to ensure the investigation is transparent."

Sergeant Lee's father said, "It is truly regrettable that the minister could only come after we had to petition claiming injustice," and added, "Although it is a bit late, since the Ministry of National Defense prosecution team is taking responsibility as the bereaved family wishes, I would like to first thank the minister for deciding this."

He continued, "Please keep watching how the situation progresses," emphasizing, "Of course, the investigation should include detention, and the secondary and tertiary perpetrators must be punished."

This meeting was the first since the news of Sergeant Lee's death became public. The meeting was partially open to the media at the beginning but then switched to a closed session.

After the closed meeting ended, Minister Seo and Sergeant Lee's father and mother moved to the mortuary.

The mother, looking at her daughter's portrait, said tearfully, "Such a beautiful child lying there breaks my heart and makes me feel so sorry. Just hold on a little longer, you will rest peacefully. I'm really sorry." She added, "I will be brave until the end so that there is no injustice. Please wait." While moving from the mortuary to the main funeral hall, she suddenly sat down on the floor, crying out, "I miss my child so much," and collapsed. The bereaved family urgently requested an ambulance.

The family protested, saying, "Did you not even prepare an ambulance knowing this would happen?" The ambulance arrived 10 minutes later.

Minister Seo left the funeral hall after instructing, "Take immediate action so the bereaved family is not uncomfortable, and have the medical support team and ambulance on standby at all times."

Sergeant Lee, who had reported being sexually harassed by a senior non-commissioned officer in March, was found dead in her quarters on the 22nd of last month, about two months later.

The bereaved family appeals that the Air Force's organized attempts to persuade and cover up after Sergeant Lee's report ultimately drove their daughter to death, and they have been urging a strict investigation while postponing the funeral for 12 days. Sergeant Lee's body is currently laid in the mortuary of the Capital Hospital funeral hall.

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