Bereaved family of female sergeant attempts extreme choice... Seo Wook says "I didn't know"

Minister of National Defense Seo Wook is attending the full meeting of the National Defense Committee held at the National Assembly on the 26th, providing a briefing on current issues. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]One of the secondary perpetrators in the Air Force non-commissioned officer sexual harassment victim's death case died while in custody, and it has been reported that the victim's family also attempted an extreme act. Regarding this, Defense Minister Seo Wook appears to have been unaware.

On the 26th, Lee Chae-ik, a member of the People Power Party, stated at the National Defense Committee plenary session in the National Assembly, "One of the victim's family members attempted an extreme act but was discovered and stopped by military personnel." When he asked Defense Minister Seo Wook, "Have you heard about this?" the minister replied, "I have not."

Lee said, "This means the Minister of National Defense is not receiving proper work reports," and pointed out, "Both the families and the perpetrators, as well as the public, are feeling uneasy."

Lee also asked Minister Seo whether he had confirmed media reports that a superior officer who tried to cover up the case of Sergeant Lee had taken an extreme action, to which Seo responded, "I have confirmed that."

Officer A was arrested and indicted on the 30th of last month on charges of retaliation threats and coercion of meetings under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (Special Act), and was scheduled for the first trial on the 6th of next month.