This Time, an Army Non-Commissioned Officer Attempts Extreme Suicide

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] It has been confirmed that a female non-commissioned officer (NCO) in the Army, who was a victim of sexual harassment, also attempted an extreme act, following similar cases in the Air Force and Navy. Notably, like the female NCO victims in the Air Force and Navy, the Army female NCO was not separated from the perpetrator, and secondary victimization occurred.

According to a post on the Blue House National Petition Board on the 24th, in April of last year, Army Corporal A received a proposal to "date" from her direct superior, Sergeant B, shortly after being assigned to the unit, which she refused. However, she was subsequently subjected to continuous stalking and sexual harassment.

Sergeant B was disciplined and dismissed in early September of the same year and immediately discharged, but the victim's side claims that the response from the unit and the division legal office was inappropriate during this process. They argue that the case was only handled through disciplinary action without a criminal investigation.

C, the victim's older sister and petitioner, wrote on the Blue House National Petition Board on the 20th, stating, "During the investigation process, there were attempts to dissuade the report and pressure for settlement, and appropriate separation measures were not taken." She added, "Various forms of secondary victimization occurred afterward, and although my sister chose to transfer units, the situation did not improve."

She further stated, "My once healthy sister has been suffering for over a year with frequent fainting, vomiting, bleeding, hair loss, insomnia, and panic attacks caused by stress," and added, "Currently, after several suicide attempts, she is hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital for comprehensive treatment."

An Army official responded, "After receiving the case last year, since the victim's intention to file a criminal complaint was not confirmed, disciplinary procedures were promptly carried out first. Subsequently, a complaint was filed, and the case was transferred to a civilian prosecutor, with the trial ongoing." The official also explained, "We understand that the separation of the perpetrator and victim was implemented the day after the report was received."

However, criticism has arisen that the Army's explanation is unconvincing, given that the victim's report itself can be considered an intention to file a complaint.

Meanwhile, it is reported that Corporal A re-reported the incident in June during the Ministry of National Defense's special reporting period initiated following the death of an Air Force sexual harassment victim. The Army stated that the Army Central Investigation Unit is currently investigating the appropriateness of the handling process by military investigators who were in charge of the case at that time.

※ If you or someone around you is experiencing difficult feelings such as depression or other hard-to-talk-about issues, you can receive 24-hour professional counseling at suicide prevention hotlines ☎1577-0199, Hope Phone ☎129, Life Phone ☎1588-9191, and Youth Phone ☎1388.