President Buseokjong: "No Report of Sexual Harassment in July"

Minister of National Defense Seo Wook and Chief of Naval Operations Bu Seok-jong attended the National Defense Committee plenary meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th and are talking before the meeting begins. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Navy Chief of Staff Bu Seok-jong denied the claim that he was aware of the sexual harassment victim's situation before her death, saying, "That is not true."

On the 20th, during the National Defense Committee plenary session at the National Assembly, People Power Party lawmaker Kang Min-sik asked Navy Chief of Staff Bu Seok-jong, "In July, the sexual grievance counselor of the 2nd Fleet (Pyeongtaek) reportedly recognized the forced sexual harassment through counseling with the victim during a tour of island areas and reported it to superiors," demanding verification of the facts. Chief Bu denied this, stating, "No counseling took place in July."

Lawmaker Kang said, "Whether I collected the information incorrectly or the Navy is concealing it, I believe the truth will be revealed at some point," refusing to back down.

On the same day, the Ministry of National Defense sent a text message to defense reporters stating, "The 2nd Fleet sexual grievance counselor had a phone consultation with the victim on June 30, and at that time, the female junior officer did not mention any victimization."

On the 13th, the Navy explained that the victim applied for a meeting with her unit superiors, the surveillance captain and base commander, five days before her death on the 7th, and on the 9th formally requested a report on the forced sexual harassment to the base commander, and that the 2nd Fleet had received the report.

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