President Moon pays respects at the memorial for late Sergeant Lee... Offers condolences and apology to the bereaved family
President Moon Jae-in attended the 66th Memorial Day Ceremony held at the National Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 6th and delivered a memorial address. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] President Moon Jae-in visited the memorial site of Air Force Staff Sergeant Lee Mo, who tragically took his own life after reporting sexual harassment on the 6th. Tak Hyun-min, the Blue House Protocol Secretary, conveyed, "The despair of the deceased, the grief of the bereaved family, and the president facing long-standing malpractices weigh heavily."
On that day, Secretary Tak wrote on his Facebook, "After all the events concluded, the president headed to Staff Sergeant Lee’s memorial space. He placed a single chrysanthemum and hesitated for a long time," he said.
He added, "Lee’s mother and father, who said they had something to say when the president arrived, only held the president’s hand and cried. Without any complaints," and "They could not say a word and just cried. Seeing that, everyone was heartbroken," he recounted the scene.
He continued, "On the way out, the president stood in front of the car for a long time, and I felt pain seeing his shoulders and his faltering steps," adding, "The President of the Republic of Korea is briefed every single day on 'grave, urgent, and critical matters.' These will continue until his last day in office."
Furthermore, Secretary Tak said, "Enduring and overcoming these matters, the president’s shoulders sag and his steps falter," and "Today, at this tragic site, he sat down with the bereaved family. On this last Memorial Day during his term, the president vowed to 'thoroughly investigate and ensure justice is served.'"
Earlier, President Moon visited Staff Sergeant Lee’s memorial site at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, immediately after attending the 66th Memorial Day ceremony at the National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul.
According to Blue House spokesperson Park Kyung-mi, President Moon expressed to the bereaved family, "How heartbroken you must be," and "I am sorry the state could not protect him." The president also promised a thorough investigation and said, "Your parents’ health must have deteriorated greatly; please take care of your health."
In his Memorial Day address at the National Cemetery, President Moon also stated, "I deeply apologize to the people for the lingering malpractices in military culture that have caused regrettable and unjust deaths," and pledged, "We will correct these issues not only for the human rights of military personnel but also for morale and national security."
Meanwhile, Staff Sergeant Lee had reported being sexually harassed by a senior non-commissioned officer while serving in the 20th Fighter Wing in March. After taking a petition leave for about two months, he requested a transfer and was reassigned to the 15th Fighter Wing.
Three days after the transfer, on the 21st of last month, he took a half-day leave and visited the quarters of the 20th Fighter Wing, where his fianc?e resided, to register their marriage. The next morning, on the 22nd, he was found dead in the quarters.
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