Investigation of Female Sergeant Expands to Air Force Chief of Staff in All Directions

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Regarding the sexual harassment victim death case that occurred in the Air Force, it has been confirmed that the fact was reported to Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Seong-yong before the victim made an extreme choice. The joint military investigation team has decided to expand the investigation target to the military top brass under President Moon Jae-in's directive, and it is expected that they will examine whether there was any problem with Chief Lee's insufficient instructions.

According to the military on the 4th, the first time Chief Lee received a report on the sexual harassment case was April 14. The sexual harassment incident occurred on March 2, and the victim made an extreme choice on May 21. On April 14, the Air Force Military Police organized the case over a week and reported it in writing to Chief Lee. Afterwards, Chief Lee received a second report from the Air Force Military Police on May 22, the day after the victim's death. Subsequently, on the 25th, Chief Lee made the first report of this fact to Defense Minister Seo Wook, who then instructed Chief Lee to conduct a strict investigation into secondary victimization. Whether Chief Lee properly implemented related instructions may also become a key point of the investigation.

Not only the actions of the top brass in the Air Force reporting line but also those involved in the investigation system of this case are subjects of investigation. On this day, the military prosecution conducted a search and seizure of the Air Force Headquarters Military Police Group and the 20th Fighter Wing Military Police Battalion. This is the first time the military prosecution has conducted a search and seizure since receiving the case transfer on the 1st. Meanwhile, the Air Force prosecution only began investigating Sergeant Jang, the perpetrator, on May 31, a week after Minister Seo ordered a strict investigation. The 20th Fighter Wing Military Police transferred the case to the Air Force prosecution with a prosecution opinion for forced molestation on April 7. In effect, the Air Force prosecution did not summon or investigate either the victim or the perpetrator for about two months. It must be examined whether this 'investigation delay' contributed to the victim's extreme choice. A military investigation authority said, "Usually, when a case is transferred to the prosecution, the victim and perpetrator are separated, and the perpetrator is summoned for investigation within a month at the latest."

The Air Force also appointed two public defenders for the victim. Considering that victims usually appoint public defenders themselves, military officials say there was no need for the Air Force to designate them. Especially, the first appointed public defender had difficulty conducting proper consultations due to their own wedding on May 8. Phone calls between the lawyer and the victim occurred only twice, on April 27 and May 17. The bereaved family raised issues in a broadcast interview, saying, "The public defender responded late or did not respond at all," which is why.

Meanwhile, the opposition party demanded the dismissal of Chief Lee and Minister Seo from the President, stating that this case revealed serious problems in the military's internal command system. Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party and acting party leader, said, "This is a military corruption case that clearly shows the reality the military faces," adding, "The President should apologize to the people and punish the perpetrators and those who condoned and abetted them severely, and also dismiss the Defense Minister and the Air Force Chief of Staff."

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