Bar Association: "'Sexual Harassment by Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer'... Legislation for Establishing Military Human Rights Protection Officer Must Be Enacted Quickly"

On the 6th, citizens visited the condolence altar at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, to pay their respects to the late Sergeant Lee, who endured sexual violence by a senior and attempts at persuasion within the Air Force before taking her own life. /Seongnam - Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The Korean Bar Association (President Lee Jongyeop) has called for the enactment of the 'Military Human Rights Protection Officer Installation Act' in relation to the death of an Air Force non-commissioned officer who was a victim of sexual harassment.

On the 7th, the Bar Association stated in a press release, "Tragedies caused by violations of military human rights and the closed military culture cannot be resolved by one-time measures such as the resignation of the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces and criminal punishment of the offending soldiers," emphasizing, "A solution through institutional improvements is necessary."

The Bar Association pointed out, "In order to prevent violations of basic rights within the military, such as physical abuse, verbal abuse, harsh treatment, and sexual crimes, the 'Basic Act on the Status and Service of Soldiers' was enacted in 2015," and "however, the Basic Act only stipulates that a Military Human Rights Protection Officer should be appointed for rights relief, but the subsequent legislation specifying the details of the installation of the Military Human Rights Protection Officer remains uncertain to this day."

Furthermore, "Military human rights violation cases occur secretly and individually within each military branch and unit due to the closed nature of the military organization, so at minimum, a Military Human Rights Protection Officer should be installed under each corps and division level to ensure effectiveness," adding, "it is required that the officer exercises independent authority from their commanding officers regarding their legally defined duties, and it is appropriate to appoint a civilian lawyer with legal education and practical legal skills."

Earlier, Sergeant Lee, who reported being sexually harassed by a senior non-commissioned officer in March, was found dead in her military housing on the 22nd of last month. Despite receiving the report, the military authorities failed to properly investigate the case. After Sergeant Lee's death caused a public outcry, the military transferred the case from the Air Force to the military prosecution on the 1st and began reinvestigation. Subsequently, Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Seongyong tendered his resignation on the 4th, which President Moon Jaein accepted within about an hour.

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