Jeon Ik-su, Temporary Retention of General Rank... Suspension of Demotion Effectiveness

Jeon Ik-su, Chief Legal Officer of the Air Force Headquarters Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The demotion of Jeon Ik-su, Chief Legal Officer of the Air Force Headquarters, has been temporarily suspended. He was identified as responsible for the inadequate investigation of the late Sergeant Lee Yeram's sexual harassment and death case that occurred in the first half of last year.

On the 26th, the Seoul Administrative Court Administrative Division 1 (Presiding Judge Kang Dong-hyuk) accepted Jeon’s request for a provisional suspension of disciplinary action (suspension of effect). The suspension of effect temporarily halts the administrative disposition’s effect until the main judgment is made.

During the suspension of effect hearing, both Jeon and the Ministry of National Defense debated whether the grounds for disciplinary action were valid and whether there were circumstances warranting the temporary suspension of the disciplinary effect to restore Jeon’s rank of brigadier general.

Jeon personally appeared at the hearing and argued that the reasons for his demotion were factually incorrect, stating that if he holds a retirement ceremony at the demoted rank, even if he wins the main lawsuit and regains his rank later, he would not be able to recover the damages.

The Ministry of National Defense countered, saying, "The Air Force Legal Office Chief is the head of all legal corps and has specific command and supervisory authority. (Jeon) should have protected the victim from the highest position but instead has only offered excuses."

They added, "This disciplinary action is a lawful measure to restore public trust in the collapsed military judicial system and was approved by the military commander-in-chief."

Previously, Jeon was demoted from brigadier general to colonel for failing to properly lead the investigation into Sergeant Lee Yeram’s case at the Air Force 20th Fighter Wing. He filed an administrative lawsuit last month on the 28th in objection. Subsequently, he applied for a suspension of effect to halt the demotion until the main lawsuit’s judgment is finalized.

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