Women's Group: "Military Silences Female NCO Victim of Sexual Harassment... Thorough Investigation and Strict Punishment of Perpetrators"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Regarding the death of an Air Force non-commissioned officer who was a victim of sexual harassment, women's organizations urged the government to "thoroughly investigate this case and take measures to ensure strict punishment."

On the afternoon of the 2nd, the Korean Women's Associations United, representing 60 member organizations and 5 million members nationwide, issued a statement with this content.

On this day, the Women's Associations United emphasized, "Our precious child and a soldier protecting the nation was sexually assaulted by a colleague entrusted with duties in emergencies and has passed away," adding, "There were many opportunities to correct this, but the military chose to silence the victim."

They also stated, "We strongly agree with a politician who said, 'The sexual harassment was committed by Sergeant Jang, but the real culprit who killed the victim is the Republic of Korea military,'" adding, "This case clearly shows the widespread 'sexual harassment by power within the organization' in our society. We emphasize once again that sexual harassment is a significant event that shakes the life of the individual who suffered."

Earlier in early March, at an Air Force unit in Seosan, Chungnam, Sergeant A, a female non-commissioned officer, was called out to an evening gathering by her senior Sergeant Jang and was sexually assaulted in the vehicle on her way home. Sergeant A later officially reported the incident and voluntarily requested a transfer to another unit, but was found dead in the unit's quarters on the 22nd of last month.

Sergeant A, who reported being sexually harassed by a senior non-commissioned officer in March, was found dead in the quarters on the 22nd of last month. The bereaved family is delaying the funeral for the 12th day, demanding a strict investigation, stating that "the Air Force's systematic persuasion and concealment attempts ultimately drove our daughter to death."

The military authorities, who had not properly investigated the case despite the report, transferred the case from the Air Force to the military prosecution on the 1st of this month and began reinvestigation after Sergeant A's death caused a major uproar.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Defense prosecution requested an arrest warrant for the perpetrator, Sergeant Jang, on the same day. The decision on detention is expected to be made tonight.

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