Special Prosecutor for the Late Lee Yeram, Jeon Iksoo and 7 Others Indicted... "Sergeant Lee Died Due to Secondary Harm"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The special investigation team led by Special Prosecutor Ahn Mi-young (56, 25th Judicial Research and Training Institute) concluded that the late Air Force Sergeant Lee Ye-ram died after suffering secondary harm from her direct superiors following sexual harassment.

They also confirmed the military's inadequate investigation, cover-up attempts, and defamation of Sergeant Lee by the Air Force at the time of the incident, and referred those involved who were not prosecuted by the Ministry of National Defense prosecution team to trial.

The special investigation team that investigated Sergeant Lee's death announced on the 13th that they had indicted a total of seven individuals without detention, including five officers such as Jeon Ik-soo (52, Brigadier General), Legal Affairs Director of the Air Force Headquarters, one civilian employee, and the perpetrator Sergeant Jang Mo (25).

Special Prosecutor Ahn Mi-young stated, "I hope the wrong culture and outdated practices within the military, which ignore the fear and pain of sexual violence victims and do not even provide them a place to stand, will be improved," and added, "I pray for Sergeant Lee's eternal rest."

The special investigation team first referred three direct superiors from the Air Force 20th Fighter Wing, who failed to protect Sergeant Lee from the time of the sexual harassment incident until her death, to trial.

At the time, Battalion Commander Kim (44) was charged with false reporting and obstruction of official duties by reporting to the Air Force Headquarters personnel officer in March last year that "the perpetrator Sergeant Jang was separated from Sergeant Lee and requested to postpone Jang's dispatch until after the investigation."

Company Commander Kim (29) was indicted for defamation for conveying false information to the commander of the 15th Special Mission Flight Group, where Sergeant Lee was to be transferred, saying "the victim is somewhat strange" until May of the same year. Sergeant Jang was also additionally referred to trial for falsely telling unit colleagues that he was falsely accused immediately after Sergeant Lee reported the sexual harassment.

The special investigation team confirmed the military prosecution's inadequate investigation and referred military prosecutor Park (29), who was in charge of the case, to trial on charges including dereliction of duty, violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, and false reporting. Prosecutor Park is accused of neglecting to review the need for detention of Sergeant Jang and secondary harm to Sergeant Lee before her death, and delaying Sergeant Lee's investigation schedule citing reasons such as leave.

When public criticism of the Air Force erupted after Sergeant Lee's death was exposed through the media, the special investigation team also referred Lieutenant Colonel Jung (45), who was in charge of public relations at the Air Force Headquarters at the time, to trial on charges including defamation for attempting to reverse the public opinion by damaging Sergeant Lee's honor.

He is accused of falsely telling reporters in June last year that Sergeant Lee's death was due to marital problems rather than a forced molestation case, and of disclosing investigation information such as Sergeant Lee's phone call contents.

However, the special investigation team only found partial involvement in the investigation related to the leak of investigation information concerning Jeon Ik-soo, who was considered the core of the inadequate initial investigation suspicion, and referred him to trial on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (coercion to meet).

The special investigation team judged that in July last year, Jeon used his rank and position to pressure a subordinate military prosecutor who requested an arrest warrant for civilian employee Yang (49), who had provided him with security information related to the case, by calling and saying "the warrant is wrong." Yang was also indicted on charges including breach of official secrets. During the investigation, the special investigation team also arrested and indicted lawyer Kim (35) for fabricating evidence by manipulating a recording file that was a clue to Jeon's suspicion of covering up the investigation.

Since the investigation began in June, the special investigation team reviewed about 50,000 pages of records handed over from the Ministry of National Defense and others, conducted 18 search and seizure operations, and investigated a total of 164 people.

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