On the morning of the 9th, when the Joint Investigation Team of the Ministry of National Defense announced the interim investigation results on the death case of an Air Force non-commissioned officer who was a victim of sexual harassment, a memorial site for the late Sergeant Lee was set up at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The Ministry of National Defense will appoint a 'Special Military Prosecutor' dedicated to investigating the death case of an Air Force non-commissioned officer who was a victim of sexual harassment.
On the afternoon of the 13th, the Ministry of National Defense spokesperson's office stated in a press release, "Regarding the 'death case of an Air Force non-commissioned officer who was a victim of sexual harassment,' the Ministry of National Defense intends to operate a 'Special Military Prosecutor' dedicated to a specific case in accordance with Article 38 of the Military Court Act to enhance the fairness of the investigation and public trust."
The Special Military Prosecutor is scheduled to be appointed on the 19th and will be responsible for investigating additional remaining suspicions, including dereliction of duty by the Air Force Headquarters Legal Office, following the interim investigation results.
The Ministry of National Defense said, "The Special Military Prosecutor will be placed under the Ministry of National Defense Prosecutor's Office, but if deemed necessary for the purpose of the investigation, the prosecutor will report directly to the Minister of National Defense without going through the head of the Ministry of National Defense Prosecutor's Office, ensuring that investigative authority is respected to the fullest extent."
According to military sources on the day, Colonel Go Min-sook (Jin), head of the Navy Headquarters Prosecutor's Office, is expected to be appointed as the Special Military Prosecutor.
Colonel Go is known as the Navy's first female legal officer and the first female colonel to be promoted, and this appointment appears to take into account that the case involves a sexual harassment death. It is also interpreted as a measure to recover from recent criticisms of the military prosecution's 'investigation delays.'
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