Scope of Investigation by the Ministry of National Defense Prosecution Unit

On the 6th, mourners visited the funeral hall of Staff Sergeant Lee, a victim of sexual harassment in the Air Force, set up at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, to pay their respects. / Seongnam - Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Interest is growing regarding whether the military prosecution will investigate Defense Minister Seo Wook in connection with the sexual harassment and death case of Air Force Staff Sergeant Lee. The Ministry of National Defense has stated, "We are conducting an investigation without any sacred cows," but with Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Seong-yong submitting his resignation, there are also views that an investigation into the minister may be practically difficult.

On the 8th, Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Boo Seung-chan responded at a regular briefing to the question, "Is the minister included in the military prosecution's investigation targets?" by saying, "We are conducting an investigation without any sacred cows," and added, "We will have to see if there is any related involvement, but under that principle, we are currently conducting the investigation."

When asked, "Can we understand that no decision has been made yet on whether to investigate or not?" the spokesperson said, "It is not appropriate to comment on the investigation status." Minister Seo received a phone report from Chief of Staff Lee on the 25th of last month, four days after Staff Sergeant Lee made the extreme choice.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Defense prosecution team is summoning and investigating unit personnel suspected of secondary victimization today. The subjects are reportedly the accused Warrant Officer, Sergeant First Class, and Staff Sergeant. All three are known to be in the status of suspects. Additionally, witness investigations are underway.

The Warrant Officer and Sergeant First Class belonging to the Air Force 20th Fighter Wing are figures suspected of attempting to coax and conceal after Staff Sergeant Lee reported sexual harassment in early March. The military prosecution, which conducted a search and seizure of the 20th Fighter Wing the day before, is reportedly focusing on proving the charges of secondary victimization against them.

It is known that their mobile phones have been secured and digital forensics are being reviewed. The Staff Sergeant under investigation together is the driver of the vehicle where the sexual harassment incident occurred and has been identified as having changed to suspect status along with the Warrant Officer and Sergeant First Class.

The only witness, the Staff Sergeant, reportedly testified during the initial military police investigation that he did not recognize the victimization situation. However, the black box, which the victim directly secured and submitted to the military police at the beginning of the case, is known to have recorded evidence of the victimization.

Since the military prosecution has also changed the Staff Sergeant to suspect status, it is expected that they will focus on questioning whether false statements were made at the beginning of the case. As they are concentrating on proving charges of sexual harassment and secondary victimization, it is also expected that the battalion commander of the 20th Fighter Wing will be included as a witness for investigation.

This is effectively the first time since early March, when Staff Sergeant Lee reported the sexual harassment, that related personnel are being investigated as suspects. It has been about three months since the incident occurred.

The military prosecution is expected to consider requesting arrest warrants for the Sergeant First Class and Warrant Officer based on the analysis of the search and seizure materials and witness testimonies.

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