'Air Force Female Sergeant Death' Four Opposition Parties Step Up... "Demanding State Audit and Special Investigation"

People Power Party, Justice Party, People Party, Basic Income Party Submit Bills to National Assembly

People Power Party floor spokesperson Jeon Ju-hye (from left), Deputy Floor Leader Choo Kyung-ho, and Justice Party Deputy Floor Leader Lee Eun-joo are submitting a joint request from four parties (People Power Party, Justice Party, People Party, Basic Income Party) for a national investigation and special prosecutor bill regarding the death of a female soldier due to sexual violence at the Legislative Affairs Office of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 10th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The four opposition parties have taken direct action in response to the ‘Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer Sexual Violence Death Incident.’ Although the ruling party is currently focusing on reforming the military system, the opposition insists that immediate measures such as a national investigation and a special prosecutor are necessary for this case.

On the morning of the 10th, Choo Kyung-ho, the Senior Deputy Floor Leader of the People Power Party, Jeon Ju-hye, the Floor Spokesperson, and Lee Eun-joo, the Senior Deputy Floor Leader of the Justice Party, submitted a request for a national investigation and a bill proposing a special prosecutor to the National Assembly’s Legislative Office to uncover the truth behind the incident. After submitting the request, Senior Deputy Floor Leader Choo told reporters, "Today, the four parties?People Power Party, Justice Party, People’s Party, and Basic Income Party?jointly submitted a request for a national investigation and a bill proposing a special prosecutor to thoroughly investigate the death of the female Air Force non-commissioned officer caused by sexual violence, strictly punish those responsible, and establish fundamental measures to prevent recurrence."

The ruling party is currently focusing on reforming the military judicial system by forming a ‘Task Force for Eradicating Military Sexual Crimes and Protecting Victims’ and proposing legislation to subject military sexual crimes to civilian judicial prosecution. Regarding this, Spokesperson Jeon said, "The Democratic Party is currently conducting its own investigation, so it is difficult for them to join the opposition’s request for a national investigation," adding, "Although the Democratic Party did not participate in this national investigation, they have expressed a strong willingness to investigate the truth, so we expect a bipartisan agreement within the National Assembly soon," urging cooperation.

Senior Deputy Floor Leader Lee also explained, "This incident has revealed structural problems," and emphasized, "A fundamental and structural investigation must be conducted within the National Assembly to understand why such issues keep occurring, so all parties in the floor should participate together."

Meanwhile, on the previous day, Defense Minister Seo Wook promised a strict investigation and fundamental improvement measures 18 days after the incident occurred. At the National Assembly’s National Defense Committee plenary session, Minister Seo stated, "Since the Ministry of National Defense has transferred this case for investigation, we will thoroughly investigate all aspects, including any attempts at coercion, concealment, and secondary harm, regardless of rank or status, and handle it strictly," adding, "We will reexamine the response system to sexual violence incidents within the military and prepare fundamental improvement measures."

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