Seo Wook "Deeply Apologetic... Fully Aware of Heavy Responsibility"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Military Specialist Reporter Yang Nak-gyu]Defense Minister Seo Wook said, "I deeply apologize for causing irreparable wounds and pain to the bereaved families of Sergeant Lee Mo and great concern to the public, and I sincerely feel the heavy responsibility."

Minister Seo appeared before the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee that morning and, in his opening remarks, repeated the same apology given at the National Assembly's Defense Committee the previous day, stating, "We will strictly handle all matters without any suspicion, including inducement, concealment circumstances, and secondary harm," and added, "We will re-examine the prevention and response system for sexual violence incidents within the military and prepare fundamental improvement measures."

Minister Seo said, "Our military is actively promoting military judicial reform to realize military judicial justice and guarantee the human rights of soldiers," and stated, "However, as this incident shows, many citizens hope that while considering the military's unique characteristics, related systems will be urgently improved to ensure fairness and transparency in military justice."

He emphasized, "To enhance the reliability of the military judicial system, reforms must be properly implemented to reduce commanders' influence over military criminal procedures and guarantee the independence and fairness of investigations and trials," adding, "Such military judicial reforms will serve as the foundation for preventing crimes and corruption, including sexual violence within the military."