'Female Officer Accused of Unauthorized Absence to See BTS: "I Didn't Even Know Who They Were"'

"Can't Even Distinguish Jin While Wearing a Mask"
Unauthorized Workplace Departure Punishable by Imprisonment or Detention

The party involved, A, an army nursing officer under investigation for unauthorized absence from duty to see BTS member Jin, stated that they "received a cooperation request." Military authorities postponed the disciplinary committee for A and referred the case to the military prosecution for investigation.

The side of A, an army unit nursing officer under investigation for unauthorized absence from duty to see Jin, a member of the group BTS, stated, "We received a request for cooperation."
[Photo by Yonhap News]

A's legal representative stated on the 20th, "Nursing officer B, who belongs to the recruit training battalion where Jin is assigned, visited upon receiving a cooperation request and only administered vaccinations," adding, "Due to internal circumstances within the division, it was difficult to request vaccination support, so they sought cooperation from A, who works at a neighboring unit."

They continued, "At that time, it was necessary to quickly administer three injections per trainee, and since masks were worn, A could not distinguish who Jin was," and explained, "A reported verbally in advance and the medical sergeant (military doctor) approved it, so A is not subject to disciplinary action."

Nursing officer A, stationed at a unit in Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi Province, was suspected of visiting the unit where BTS Jin serves without approval in March. This unauthorized action came to light after the unit to which Lieutenant A belongs received a related report in March and conducted an inspection investigation.

At that time, vaccinations were being administered to soldiers at the recruit training battalion (Shingyodae). A moved to the relevant training unit about 30 minutes away by vehicle and, after returning to the 28th Division where they work, reportedly said that "Jin was very sick."

Last month, military authorities announced plans to ascertain the detailed circumstances and take follow-up measures according to laws and regulations. However, the suspicion that A conspired in advance with the '5th Division nursing officer' was found to be untrue based on the inspection results.

The military authorities postponed the disciplinary committee for the nursing officer scheduled for the 16th and requested an investigation. Since there is a dispute over whether the unauthorized absence, which is subject to disciplinary action, occurred, the military decided to halt the disciplinary process and seek a judicial decision through investigation.

If a soldier leaves their post without reporting to superiors, they may be punished with imprisonment or detention for up to one year under Article 79 (Unauthorized Absence) of the Military Criminal Act.

Meanwhile, Jin enlisted in December last year and is currently serving as an instructor at the recruit training battalion of the 5th Infantry Division in Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi Province.

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