"Gender Sensitivity in Our Society Made a Strong Impact"... Late Sergeant Lee Yeram Special Investigation Act Passes Judiciary Committee (Comprehensive)

Passed the morning bill subcommittee and then the plenary session
Two recommendations each from the Court Administration Office and the Bar Association, appointed by the President

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Park Jun-yi and Kwon Hyun-ji] The special prosecutor law related to the death of the late Sergeant Lee Ye-ram, who took an extreme measure due to sexual violence within the military, has passed the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee. Lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties attending the committee meeting referred to the case as "an incident that resonates deeply within our society" and emphasized the importance of the case, urging a thorough investigation.

The Legislation and Judiciary Committee held a plenary session at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 14th and approved the special prosecutor law concerning Sergeant Lee Ye-ram.

The bill is titled "The Act on the Appointment of a Special Prosecutor for the Investigation of Sexual Violence and Secondary Damage within the Military and Related Matters Concerning the Death of Sergeant Lee Ye-ram of the Air Force 20th Fighter Wing (Alternative Bill)."

Earlier that day, the ruling and opposition parties held the first subcommittee meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee in the morning and approved the bill. The subcommittee agreed on a plan where, upon appointing the special prosecutor, two candidates each would be recommended by the Court Administration Office and the Korean Bar Association, and the final two candidates would be selected through negotiations among the negotiation groups and appointed by the President.

The investigation targets include sexual harassment and sexual assault cases related to Sergeant Lee Ye-ram in 2019 and 2020, illegal acts connected to these cases, illegal acts causing secondary damage from sexual violence within the military, dereliction of duty and abuse of authority related to concealment, cover-up, and coercion within the Ministry of National Defense and Air Force Headquarters, and related illegal acts and cases recognized during the investigation process.

The special prosecutor may recommend four special assistant prosecutors and appoint up to 40 special investigators. Additionally, the special prosecutor can request the dispatch of up to 10 prosecutors and 30 public officials from related agencies such as the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the National Police Agency.

Although military personnel and civilian employees subject to the special prosecutor's investigation generally fall under the jurisdiction of military courts, the special prosecutor law allows civilian courts to have jurisdiction over these individuals.

The President may dismiss the special prosecutor or special assistant prosecutors if they have physical or mental illnesses that significantly hinder their duties or if they engage in profit-making activities.

Before the approval, lawmakers from both parties raised questions. Democratic Party lawmaker So Byung-chul said, "There were many difficulties for this law to come this far. The bereaved families have shed tears of blood until they are dry," and added, "According to the wording of the special prosecutor law, even the Minister of National Defense could be subject to investigation. This must be taken seriously and gravely."

In response, Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye said, "Abstractly speaking, the Minister of National Defense could be subject to investigation."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min also requested, "Please do not hide even a single point during the investigation process or obstruct the special prosecutor's work, and cooperate thoroughly and properly."

People Power Party lawmaker Jeon Ju-hye explained, "The Sergeant Lee Ye-ram case is an incident that gives a strong resonance regarding gender sensitivity in our society and the harm women suffer in certain professions within a male-dominated society." She added, "There is some regret that the Democratic Party did not show an active attitude earlier, resulting in the special prosecutor law only now passing the National Assembly. However, I consider it meaningful that a plan has been prepared to clear the late Sergeant Lee's grievances and wipe the tears of her bereaved family."

With the approval by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on this day, the bill is scheduled to be submitted to the plenary session on the 15th.