Navy Soldier Sentenced to Suspended Prison Term for Forcibly Molesting Junior Recruits on Warship

Chuncheon District Court Sentences Soldier to One Year in Prison, Two Years Probation

A senior soldier in his 20s who forcibly molested junior soldiers serving together in the fleet dozens of times was sentenced to a suspended prison term.

On the 8th, Yonhap News reported that the Chuncheon District Court Wonju Branch 1st Criminal Division sentenced A (22), who was indicted on charges of forcible molestation and quasi-forcible molestation of soldiers, to one year in prison with a two-year suspension. The court also ordered A to attend 40 hours of sexual violence treatment lectures and imposed a three-year employment restriction at institutions related to children and adolescents as well as institutions for the disabled.

A was tried on charges of forcibly molesting three junior soldiers serving together in the Navy dozens of times from July to October 2023. On July 5, 2023, around 10 p.m., in the Navy fleet crew members' bedroom, A made junior soldier B perform a talent show. When B said he "did not have any talents," A forced B to lower his pants and underwear and molested him, leading to charges of forcible or quasi-forcible molestation.

A is also charged with molesting junior soldier C five times around 8 p.m. on August 21 of the same year while C was resting in the crew members' bedroom. Additionally, on August 20 around 10 p.m., when junior soldier D refused A's invitation to go smoke together, A pinched D's nipples. A committed these crimes against the victimized junior soldiers indiscriminately in locations such as the crew members' bedroom, fitness room, canteen, and shower room.

The court pointed out, "Molestation crimes within the military not only violate the victim's sexual self-determination rights but also damage a healthy military culture and have a serious negative impact on the establishment of military discipline. Moreover, the defendant abused his position, making the guilt not light." Regarding the sentencing, the court explained, "However, the defendant admitted to each offense, showed remorse, and some victims reached settlements and did not wish for punishment, which was taken into consideration." The prosecution appealed the first trial verdict.