[Comprehensive] Air Force Sexual Harassment Perpetrator Sentenced to 15 Years Imprisonment

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]On the 8th, the military prosecution demanded a 15-year prison sentence for Sergeant Jang Mo, the perpetrator of sexual harassment against the late Air Force Sergeant Lee Mo, on charges including forcible sexual assault causing injury against a military personnel.

According to the Ministry of National Defense prosecution team on that day, Sergeant Jang is accused of forcibly and repeatedly sexually assaulting his junior, Sergeant Lee, in a vehicle returning to the base after an evening gathering with unit members on March 2, despite Lee's repeated refusals. Additionally, after Sergeant Lee got out of the vehicle on the day of the assault, Sergeant Jang reportedly followed him and said things to the effect of "I'm sorry," "Let's pretend it never happened," and "Are you going to report me? Go ahead and report!" He also sent messages implying suicide, such as "I've been thinking all day that I should die."

The prosecution team viewed these actions as retaliatory threats under the Special Act and indicted him in custody.

The military prosecutor explained the reason for the sentence demand, stating, "This crime has rendered the military's efforts to eradicate sexual crimes futile," and added, "Strict punishment is inevitable as a deterrent."

Before the sentencing demand, Sergeant Jang also expressed an apology to the bereaved families attending the trial. In response to the court's invitation to speak, he said, "I am deeply sorry to the victim and their family, and I will live asking for forgiveness both in life and after death."

This is the first public apology, 220 days after the sexual harassment occurred and 140 days after the victim's extreme choice.