‘Attempt to Conceal the Late Lee Yeram Case’ Company Commander Also Acquitted in 2nd Trial... Battalion Commander and Military Prosecutor Sentence Reduced

The battalion commander, who was indicted on charges of attempting to conceal the case by not reporting or falsely reporting the forced molestation incident involving the late Sergeant Lee Yeram, was acquitted again in the appellate trial.

Memorial Service for Sergeant Lee Ye-ram. Photo by Yonhap News

On the afternoon of the 28th, the Criminal Division 2 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Seol Beomsik) acquitted Battalion Commander Kim, who was indicted on charges including obstruction of official duties by deception. The court ruled that “it is difficult to conclude that the defendant consciously neglected and gave up the duty to prevent secondary harm simply because he did not request disciplinary action after the sexual violence incident occurred.”

Company Commander Kim, who was indicted on charges of defamation, and Military Prosecutor Park, indicted on charges including dereliction of duty, were sentenced to one year in prison in the first trial, but their sentences were reduced to one year in prison with a two-year probation in the second trial.

Regarding Company Commander Kim, the court stated, “Since he made statements without receiving information about the victim’s harm and without hearing various opinions, it does not appear that he actively spread false information, so the original sentence was somewhat heavy.”

Regarding Military Prosecutor Park, the court said, “Considering that the defendant’s crime is difficult to evaluate as the direct and main cause of the victim’s death and that he showed sincere remorse.”

Immediately after the verdict, Sergeant Lee’s father told reporters, “As a father, I feel a sense of self-disgust.” Sergeant Lee’s mother criticized, “I cannot help but have serious doubts about who this trial is for, whether it is a trial to uncover the truth, or a trial to shield the perpetrators,” and added, “They say it was a first offense and reduced the sentence because of remorse, but I don’t know who showed remorse to whom.”

Meanwhile, Sergeant Lee reported being sexually molested by Sergeant Jangmo in March 2021, but the investigation was not properly conducted, and after suffering secondary harm, she passed away in May of the same year.