South Korean air force chief quits over death, sexual abuse of female sergeant
- Lee Seong-yong also apologised a day after an air force master sergeant was arrested on charges of molesting a female colleague in March
- The victim’s family said she had suffered mental distress, and accused the air force of trying to cover up the assault
South Korea’s air force chief Lee Seong-yong.
Photo: Handout/EPA-EFE
South Korea’s air force chief resigned on Friday, apologising and taking responsibility for the death of a member of the force who took her own life, according to her family, after being sexually harassed by a colleague.
Lee Seong-yong offered to step down a day after an air force master sergeant was arrested on charges of molesting and injuring a female colleague of the same rank in March.
The family of the victim said she had suffered mental distress and persistent bullying, and accused the air force of trying to cover up the assault and silence her over the past two months.
President Moon Jae-in immediately accepted Lee’s resignation, his press secretary said, making him the shortest serving South Korean air force chief after appointing him in September.
“I would like to extend my apology to the citizens and deep condolences to the deceased person and her family. I feel heavy responsibility and offer my resignation,” Lee said in a statement.
The case sparked a public outcry after the woman’s family filed a petition with Moon’s office on Tuesday calling for a thorough investigation and punishment for those involved. More than 326,000 people have signed it so far.
Moon ordered an investigation on Thursday including on how the air force handled the case, as the family reported three officials at Lee’s base to military prosecutors, accusing two of them of dereliction of duty and attempted compulsion and the other of sexual harassment.
The air force on Thursday dismissed two supervisors involved in Lee’s case, without elaborating why.
On Friday, military prosecutors raided the offices of the air force military police at its headquarters and Lee’s base, the defence ministry said.
A series of incidents has prompted the military to tighten rules and penalties for sexual abuse, but activists say the military is still too soft on members accused of wrongdoing.
“The investigation is under way, but so far there were signs that the air force tried to protect its own organisation, rather than the victim, despite her multiple attempts seeking help,” a defence source said on condition of anonymity citing the investigation.
Lee Seong-yong offered to step down a day after an air force master sergeant was arrested on charges of molesting and injuring a female colleague of the same rank in March.
The family of the victim said she had suffered mental distress and persistent bullying, and accused the air force of trying to cover up the assault and silence her over the past two months.
President Moon Jae-in immediately accepted Lee’s resignation, his press secretary said, making him the shortest serving South Korean air force chief after appointing him in September.
“I would like to extend my apology to the citizens and deep condolences to the deceased person and her family. I feel heavy responsibility and offer my resignation,” Lee said in a statement.
The case sparked a public outcry after the woman’s family filed a petition with Moon’s office on Tuesday calling for a thorough investigation and punishment for those involved. More than 326,000 people have signed it so far.
Moon ordered an investigation on Thursday including on how the air force handled the case, as the family reported three officials at Lee’s base to military prosecutors, accusing two of them of dereliction of duty and attempted compulsion and the other of sexual harassment.
The air force on Thursday dismissed two supervisors involved in Lee’s case, without elaborating why.
On Friday, military prosecutors raided the offices of the air force military police at its headquarters and Lee’s base, the defence ministry said.
A series of incidents has prompted the military to tighten rules and penalties for sexual abuse, but activists say the military is still too soft on members accused of wrongdoing.
“The investigation is under way, but so far there were signs that the air force tried to protect its own organisation, rather than the victim, despite her multiple attempts seeking help,” a defence source said on condition of anonymity citing the investigation.
Has anyone resigned yet, over the LRT accident? How about the Transport Minister, has he at least apologised, bow head at the very least? Was he raised on Confucian values or Confusion values? Ha ha ha...
ReplyDeletesk jap n twn do uphold confucius value, but quit due to scandal n poor handling of job hv nothing to do with confucius, more likely democracy.
ReplyDeleteWakakakakaka…
DeleteLies to cover incompetent of those f*cked dickheads u support!
Quit due to scandal & poor handling of job phenomenons r aplenty in all those demoNcratic régime u admired.
But the real reason is intra-cult infighting of compromising. Submit the authority & avoid getting prosecuted.
Thus, the continuing showcasing of these f*cked farcical political plays all-over!
Yet there r mfers out there to flower dressing these monkey acts of 'honour quiting' as the core of demoNcracy!
as long as u know it has nothing to do with confucian values, i am fine.
DeleteWakakakakaka…
Delete犬养 mfer, u have forgotten u r the dickhead that linked Confucian values into this discourse!
Everyone knows that all those parading of 'honourable' act of quiting due to scandal & poor handling of job by politikus have zilch connectivity with Confucianism!
U r just playing to tag a contemptuous hat with yr twist understanding of Chinese culture!
Batty bukan orang Cina...tau apa dia hal Confucianism ? Dia ni hanya conpused la, hehehe
Delete