Petition by Younger Sister Denies 'Army Sexual Harassment' Case: "Please Hear My Brother's Innocence"

Army Sergeant Reports Sexual Harassment and Stalking by Direct Superior
Accused Staff Sergeant Claims "B Sergeant Was the One Who Harassed"

Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Following the Air Force and Navy, an allegation has surfaced on the Blue House National Petition platform that a female Army sergeant attempted an extreme act after being sexually harassed. Meanwhile, the younger sister of the sergeant accused as the perpetrator has posted a rebuttal petition, claiming her brother’s innocence.

On the 24th, a petition titled "I am the younger sister of the sergeant accused of sexually assaulting a female Army sergeant. Please hear my brother’s side of the story" was posted on the Blue House National Petition board.

The petitioner, who identified herself as Sergeant A’s younger sister, stated, "There was absolutely no sexual assault as claimed by the victim’s side," and added, "My brother confessed his feelings because he had good feelings, and the sergeant responded that she would think about it."

She explained, "The day with the most physical contact was July 27 last year," and said, "The sergeant first expressed dissatisfaction with the female soldier and showed tears, so my brother patted her arm to comfort her, and afterward, she repeatedly expressed gratitude."

She further argued, "The sexual harassment claimed by the female side was playful behavior such as pinching, biting, and pushing each other," and said, "It is hard to understand that the woman who claimed to have been sexually assaulted after April (when the sergeant was commissioned) called separately in July and had many conversations in a car. There are many other actions that do not match the current claims."

Additionally, the petitioner claimed, "The more severe sexual harassment was actually done by Sergeant B," and stated, "They regularly showered together in the shared washroom and used the company bathroom carelessly, preventing about 10 men from using it."

The petitioner also criticized the Army’s response to the incident. Regarding the unit officers accused of secondary victimization, she said, "The KakaoTalk messages submitted as evidence were all selectively edited to be favorable. Soldiers sacrificing for the military were punished based on baseless false claims."

On the 20th, a post titled "Sexual Violence Victims in the Military Still Driven to Death" was uploaded on the Blue House National Petition website. Photo by Blue House National Petition Capture

On the other hand, Sergeant B, the victim, posted on the Blue House National Petition on the 20th, stating, "One week after commissioning in April 2020, my direct superior, Sergeant A, demanded a relationship, and when I refused, he retaliated and threatened me," and added, "He engaged in gaslighting, frequent severe sexual harassment, forced molestation, and even stalking."

The petitioner said, "I reported the sexual assault perpetrator in August last year, and there were additional perpetrators," and added, "During the investigation, the officers did not separate us, and meanwhile, the perpetrators turned the unit’s public opinion against my sister."

She continued, "Secondary victimization continued, and my sister had another interview, but the officers concealed reports to higher command and offered superficial internal officer training as a solution," and said, "However, during the training, they mentioned the victim’s and perpetrator’s real names, stigmatizing my sister as an official sexual assault victim and whistleblower."

She also raised concerns that the sexual assault case, which should have been handled under military criminal law, was classified as a general disciplinary matter, saying, "Due to difficulties in securing objective evidence such as CCTV and telecommunications data, despite more charges, the perpetrator’s punishment was reduced, and he was discharged without criminal prosecution."

She appealed, "My once healthy sister has suffered frequent fainting, vomiting, bleeding, hair loss, insomnia, and panic attacks due to stress for over a year," and added, "Eventually, after multiple suicide attempts, she was hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital."

Meanwhile, in response to the controversy, an Army official explained on the 24th, "After receiving the report last year, since the victim’s intention to file a criminal complaint was not confirmed, disciplinary procedures were promptly initiated. Subsequently, a complaint was filed, and the case was transferred to a civilian prosecutor for trial," and added, "I understand that the separation of the perpetrator and victim was implemented the day after the report was received."

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