Special Investigation into Late Lee Yeram Concludes 100-Day Inquiry... Results Announced Today

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The special investigation team led by Special Prosecutor Ahn Mi-young (56, Judicial Research and Training Institute Class 25), which investigated the case of the late Air Force Major Lee Ye-ram, a victim of sexual violence, announced the results on the 13th, concluding their 100-day investigation.

The special investigation team conveyed the details of their investigation on the afternoon of the same day at the Seoul Bar Association building in Seocho-gu, Seoul.

Special Prosecutor Ahn’s team, the 14th special investigation team in history, was launched on June 5. Over approximately 100 days, they examined sexual violence and secondary victimization within the Air Force related to Major Lee’s death, as well as allegations of cover-up and suppression of investigations by the Ministry of National Defense and the Air Force Headquarters. During this process, they conducted raids on more than 30 locations including the Ministry of National Defense, Air Force Headquarters, the 20th Fighter Wing, the 15th Special Mission Wing, and the Air Force Investigation Unit, and investigated over 80 individuals related to the case.

Jeon Ik-su (52, Brigadier General), the head of the Air Force legal office at the time of the incident, was summoned three times as a suspect and underwent intense questioning by the special investigation team. Each session lasted about 10 hours. Jeon still denies the charges against him and stated during his appearance before the special prosecutor that there were no issues with the initial investigation.

While it is highly likely that the special investigation team will indict key suspects including Jeon on this day, some view the possibility as low. This is because the special investigation team has not detained major related persons during the investigation, leaving room for the possibility that decisive circumstances or evidence have not been secured.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier last month, a detention warrant for Yang, a Ministry of National Defense military court official suspected of relaying the detention hearing situation of Major Jang to Jeon, was dismissed. Subsequently, a detention warrant for Air Force field-grade officer B, suspected of distorting the cause of Major Lee’s death and leaking investigation details, was also rejected by the court.

However, there was progress in the investigation when it was confirmed that the so-called 'Jeon Ik-su recording' file, which was disclosed by the Military Human Rights Center based on a tip-off, was manipulated using mechanical devices. On the 31st of last month, lawyer A related to this matter was arrested and indicted on charges of evidence fabrication and obstruction of business.

Meanwhile, Major Lee, who belonged to the Air Force 20th Fighter Wing, was sexually harassed by a senior non-commissioned officer on March 2 of last year. In May of the same year, while the military prosecution was investigating the case, she took her own life. The military prosecution of the 20th Fighter Wing did not investigate the perpetrator even once after the sexual harassment incident and Major Lee’s death. When controversy over the inadequate investigation arose, the Ministry of National Defense belatedly launched an investigation and prosecuted 15 individuals, but the legal office leadership including Jeon did not indict them citing 'insufficient evidence.' This investigation result sparked controversy in political circles and eventually led to the special investigation.

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