Seo Wook, Response to Petition on 'Air Force NCO Death Incident'..."Responsible Parties to Be Severely Punished Within Legal Limits"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Regarding the petition on the 'Air Force Sexual Violence Victim Non-Commissioned Officer Death Case,' Defense Minister Seo Wook, who responded to the petition, stated, "We will strictly punish those responsible for the incident within the limits allowed by law."

On the 22nd, Minister Seo said in his response to the national petition, "We deeply feel a heavy responsibility for the military's failure to protect the victim despite her reporting sexual violence and taking legal action," expressing his stance.

This petition was submitted by the father of the victimized non-commissioned officer, demanding a thorough investigation into those responsible for the Air Force NCO who suffered sexual violence and took extreme measures. A total of 400,000 citizens agreed to the petition.

Minister Seo said, "As the person ultimately responsible for national defense who lost a comrade first, I pray for the deceased’s repose and offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved family," adding, "The Ministry of National Defense transferred the ongoing Air Force investigation to the Defense Prosecutor’s Office on June 1 and is mobilizing all investigative capabilities."

Minister Seo stated that the investigation is being thoroughly expanded to include not only the concealment of the forced molestation incident, coercion to settle, and inadequate victim protection measures raised in the petition but also additional crimes revealed during the investigation.

He also announced disciplinary actions against senior officers and the victim’s battalion commander. Minister Seo said, "It was confirmed that senior officers in the unit used their authority to threaten the victim by citing quarantine guidelines and coerced a settlement, and the Defense Prosecutor’s Office has indicted them on charges of retaliatory threats and forced interviews," adding, "Also, it was confirmed that the separation of the victim and perpetrator was delayed, and the victim’s battalion commander will be disciplined for negligence in command and supervision." He added that the related department will receive an institutional warning.

Minister Seo explained, "It was confirmed that in the newly assigned flying unit just before the victim’s death, protective measures were insufficient, as the victim’s personal information and related victimization facts were mentioned among unit members even before the victim completed the transfer registration," and said, "The battalion commander and company commander involved have been prosecuted for defamation, and commanders and department heads will be disciplined for command responsibility."

Additionally, it was revealed that the Air Force Headquarters Military Police Commander reported the case as a simple accidental death, leading to the prosecution of the Military Police Commander and the Central Investigation Unit Chief for false reporting. The Ministry of National Defense is also investigating allegations of dereliction of duty by the victim’s public defender, the Air Force Gender Equality Center Director, and the Air Force Legal Office Chief.

Minister Seo said, "We are comprehensively re-examining the military’s response to sexual violence cases, including victim protection programs, and are striving to boldly reform ineffective systems on the ground into practical ones," announcing plans to establish military courts under the Ministry of National Defense, prosecutor offices under each service chief, and dedicated sexual crime trial and investigation divisions.

He also revealed that a ministerial-level dedicated sexual violence response organization to support victims exclusively is being planned. Minister Seo emphasized, "We plan to derive and apply institutional improvement measures for preventing sexual violence and protecting victims within the military through on-site inspections, surveys, and consultations with related ministries by the future civilian-military joint committee."

Minister Seo stated, "Sexual violence within the military and the lukewarm response to it are serious military crimes that destroy military unity," and "We will strictly punish those responsible for the related incidents within the limits allowed by law so that the deceased’s death will not be in vain."