Military Investigation Headquarters, Only Now Filing Charges Against Military Police Battalion Commander

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

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The head of the military police battalion of the 20th Fighter Wing, who was in charge of the initial investigation of the Air Force female sergeant sexual harassment case, has been criminally charged. The criminal charge by the investigation headquarters was made following the opinion of the military prosecution investigation review committee, leading to criticism that the charge was forced.

On the 28th, the Ministry of National Defense Investigation Headquarters stated through a text notice, "We plan to organize the investigation results and transfer all case records to the Ministry of National Defense prosecution team within today."

The Investigation Headquarters reported at the military prosecution investigation review committee held on the 25th that the military police battalion commander of the 20th Fighter Wing would be referred to the disciplinary committee, but the committee suggested that the battalion commander should also be criminally charged for dereliction of duty. Accordingly, the Investigation Headquarters accepted the committee's opinion and belatedly decided to file criminal charges.

The Investigation Headquarters confirmed that the military police of the 20th Fighter Wing, who conducted the initial investigation of this case, had conducted a poor investigation, yet no one was charged until the 24th, which sparked controversy.

Meanwhile, it was confirmed that the operations control officer and radar maintenance team leader, who were additionally sued by the bereaved family on the 25th along with the battalion commander and company commander of the 15th Special Mission Wing, who were already suspects, have also been converted to suspects.

Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Boo Seung-chan said at the regular briefing that day in response to related questions, "The 15th Wing operations control officer and radar maintenance team leader have been 'converted to suspects and are currently under investigation.'"

Accordingly, the total number of suspects related to this case is currently understood to be 21. Meanwhile, the Air Force dismissed four personnel as of 9 a.m. that day, including the military police battalion commander and investigation section chief of the 20th Fighter Wing, who were inadequate in the initial investigation measures, the military prosecutor of the legal office, and the public defender of the Air Force Headquarters legal office who neglected victim protection.

The Air Force conveyed this through a text notice and stated, "We will take appropriate measures against those involved according to the progress of the investigation."

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