Special Investigation Team for Late Sergeant Lee Ye-ram Conducts First Forced Search Including Air Force Headquarters...

Search and Seizure of the 20th Fighter Wing, 15th Special Mission Wing, and Air Force Investigation Unit

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] The special investigation team for the late Sergeant Lee Ye-ram conducted a search and seizure at the Air Force Headquarters and other locations on the 28th. This is the first forced investigation since the special investigation team was formed.

The special investigation team for the late Sergeant Lee Ye-ram is currently conducting search and seizure operations at multiple locations, including the Air Force Headquarters in Gyeryong, Chungnam, the 20th Fighter Wing, the 15th Special Mission Wing, and the Air Force Investigation Unit.

The special investigation team is working to uncover the truth regarding various allegations raised in connection with Sergeant Lee’s death, including inadequate investigation, secondary victimization, concealment of the case, and interference with the investigation.

Earlier, Special Prosecutor Ahn Mi-young met with Sergeant Lee’s bereaved family and conducted witness interviews on the 13th. Special Prosecutor Ahn met with Sergeant Lee’s father, Lee Joo-wan, her mother, and the family’s legal representative, lawyer Kang Seok-min, at the special investigation office in Migeun-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.

Sergeant Lee, who belonged to the Air Force 20th Fighter Wing, immediately reported being sexually harassed by a senior non-commissioned officer in March last year, and tragically took her own life on May 21 of the same year while the military prosecution investigation was ongoing.

The Ministry of National Defense, which investigated the case, filed criminal charges against a total of 25 people in October last year and prosecuted 15 of them. However, the command staff, including Jeon Ik-soo, the Air Force Legal Office Chief who supervised and directed the military police and prosecutors of the 20th Fighter Wing responsible for the initial investigation, were not prosecuted due to insufficient evidence.

After being sexually assaulted, Sergeant Lee was transferred to the 15th Fighter Wing, but she experienced disciplinary guidance and harsh treatment at the new unit and took her own life after three days. However, personnel related to this unit were also not prosecuted due to insufficient evidence.

According to the “Lee Ye-ram Special Investigation Act,” which sets the investigation period at 70 days, the special investigation must be completed by August 13. However, if the investigation is not completed or a decision on prosecution cannot be made by then, the investigation period can be extended by 30 days with presidential approval.