Special Investigation Team for Late Lee Yeram Conducts Search and Seizure at Air Force Headquarters Public Affairs Office (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The special investigation team led by An Mi-young (55, 25th Judicial Research and Training Institute), investigating the death of Air Force Staff Sergeant Lee Eram, a victim of sexual violence, is conducting a search and seizure at the Air Force Headquarters on the 19th.

On the morning of the same day, the special investigation team dispatched investigators to the Public Affairs Office of the Air Force Headquarters to secure materials related to Staff Sergeant Lee's death case.

Since its launch, the special investigation team has conducted search and seizures at about 30 locations, including the Military Court office of the Ministry of National Defense the previous day. They also reviewed communication and financial transaction records of those involved and summoned dozens of related individuals for questioning.

The special investigation team plans to analyze the materials obtained during the search and seizure to verify whether there was any negligence in the Air Force’s investigation at the time and to confirm allegations of secondary harm. Subsequently, military officials, including Jeon Ik-su (52, Brigadier General), the Air Force Legal Office Chief, who was identified as responsible for the inadequate investigation, will be formally summoned as suspects for questioning.

With the first investigation deadline approaching on the 13th of next month, the special investigation team plans to soon request an extension of the investigation period from President Yoon Suk-yeol. According to the Special Investigation Act, if the investigation cannot be completed or a decision on prosecution cannot be made within 70 days of commencement, the investigation period can be extended by 30 days with presidential approval.

Staff Sergeant Lee, who belonged to the Air Force 20th Fighter Wing, reported being sexually harassed by a senior non-commissioned officer in March last year but took her own life on May 21, last year, while the military prosecution investigation was ongoing.

The Ministry of National Defense filed criminal charges against a total of 25 people last October and prosecuted 15. However, the command, including the 20th Fighter Wing military police and military prosecutors who handled the initial investigation, and Jeon Ik-su, the Air Force Legal Office Chief overseeing the military prosecution, were not prosecuted due to insufficient evidence, causing controversy and leading to the special investigation.

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