Special Investigation Act for Late Sergeant Lee Yeram Passed in National Assembly Plenary Session... Trial to Be Held in Civilian Court

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[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] The special investigation law for the death case of Air Force sexual violence victim the late Sergeant Lee Yeram has passed the National Assembly plenary session.

On the 15th, the special investigation law targeting the investigation of sexual violence and secondary victimization within the Air Force related to Sergeant Lee's death case, as well as allegations of concealment, cover-up, and coercion by the Ministry of National Defense and the Air Force Headquarters, passed the plenary session. However, cases already indicted before the special investigation will be excluded from the investigation.

In principle, military personnel and civilian employees are tried in military courts. However, through the special investigation, they can be tried in civilian courts.

On the 4th, the ruling and opposition parties attempted to process the special investigation law at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee (Legislation Committee), but failed to narrow differences over the method of recommending special investigation candidates. The day before, the ruling and opposition parties agreed at the Legislation Committee on a plan where the Court Administration and the Korean Bar Association each recommend two candidates, and the negotiation groups recommend two candidates among them, with the president appointing the special investigators.

Regarding this, Sergeant Lee's father, Lee Juhwan, said, "We have come this far because there are citizens who share the sorrow and indignation over Yeram's injustice," and added, "I especially thank Assemblywoman Sim Sang-jung of the Justice Party." Assemblywoman Sim had advocated for a special investigation into Sergeant Lee's death case last June and emphasized the necessity of the special investigation during the presidential candidate TV debate.

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