Minister Seo Wook Again Says "I Feel Sorry"

Defense Minister Seo Wook attended the full meeting of the National Defense Committee held at the National Assembly on the 26th and was reviewing materials before the meeting started. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Defense Minister Seo Wook apologized regarding the death of Navy female Sergeant A, who was sexually harassed, saying, "I sincerely apologize to the bereaved family and the public for this unacceptable incident."

On the 13th, a Ministry of Defense official explained in a background briefing that Minister Seo, upon receiving the report of the incident, instructed a comprehensive investigation considering ▲ past similar sexual harassment cases ▲ whether the victim had reported additional harm during her lifetime and the corresponding measures ▲ the presence of secondary harm and any concealment or minimization.

The official also stated, "Considering the gravity of the matter, a special investigation team composed of professional personnel from the Ministry of Defense Investigation Headquarters and the Navy Central Investigation Unit has been formed. We will conduct a thorough investigation without any doubt and disclose the details to the bereaved family and the public," the Ministry of Defense official conveyed.

Sergeant A was sexually harassed by Staff Sergeant B on May 27. However, the formal report of the incident was made only on August 7, more than two months later, at Sergeant A's request. Immediately after the incident, fearing that her sexual harassment would become known, she informed only one unit official.

An investigation is needed into why Sergeant A requested a formal report more than two months after the incident. There is a possibility that her change of heart during that period was due to secondary harm such as internal persuasion attempts within the unit. In a previous sexual harassment case in the Air Force, direct superiors attempted to persuade the victim by saying things like, "Can’t we just let this go as if it never happened?" or "It’s something one might experience once in a lifetime."

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