[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] There Was Secondary Harm to the Navy Female Sergeant as Well

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] It has been confirmed that the deceased female Navy sergeant was subjected to secondary victimization by her superior officer, who was the perpetrator of the sexual harassment. The military had remained silent on suspicions of secondary victimization, citing "ongoing investigation."

According to the status report submitted by the Ministry of National Defense to the National Assembly's Defense Committee on the 20th, the female Navy sergeant A was found dead on the 12th. This occurred eight days after President Moon Jae-in summoned Defense Minister Seo and other military leaders to the Blue House, urging them to "become a trusted military."

Sergeant B sexually harassed the victim on May 27 at a civilian restaurant by touching her hand under the pretext of reading her palm, and during the return to the base, he again wrapped his arm around her neck in what is known as a 'headlock.' After the incident, Sergeant A informed only one base official of the harassment and requested that the matter not be exposed externally.

However, on August 7, Sergeant A reported the harassment to the base commander and requested a formal investigation. The victim, who had been cautious about the information leaking outside, appears to have undergone psychological changes between May 27 and August 7, suggesting a high likelihood of secondary victimization. Until now, the military has denied any confirmation of secondary victimization.

During this period, Sergeant B, the perpetrator belonging to a certain Navy unit (currently detained), received 'behavioral caution' advice from the chief sergeant (under investigation) from May 27, the day of the harassment, until August 6. The Ministry of National Defense revealed to the National Assembly that Sergeant B continued to ignore the victim (treating her as invisible).

Follow-up measures such as separating the perpetrator and the victim were not promptly implemented. Ultimately, the victim disclosed the harassment late on August 7 through successive interviews with the surveillance captain (Captain) and the base commander (Lieutenant Colonel). Two days later, on August 9, the victim formally filed a report and was transferred to another unit, finally achieving physical separation from the perpetrator. Despite Sergeant A being in a highly unstable psychological state just before making an extreme choice, the military authorities failed to provide proper protection. In particular, the military did not offer counseling or psychological support to Sergeant A and reportedly suggested that she consider taking leave, drawing criticism that this case mirrors the Air Force female sergeant incident.

The Navy Military Police have currently detained Sergeant A, the perpetrator, on charges of forced sexual assault of a military personnel, and have opened investigations against the chief sergeant and the base commander on charges of violating confidentiality of the reporter.

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