▲ Busan District Court
A senior Marine who sexually harassed and repeatedly assaulted junior soldiers during his military service has been sentenced to prison.
The 6th Criminal Division of the Busan District Court (Presiding Judge Lim Seong-chul) sentenced a man in his 20s, identified as A, to one year in prison and ordered him taken into custody in court on charges of forcible indecency and assault against a soldier performing official duties.
The court also ordered A to complete a 40-hour sexual violence treatment program.
A, who belongs to the Marine Corps Headquarters, was indicted on charges including forcibly pressing his body against the buttocks of a junior soldier, B, while lying together on B's bed in April of last year.
He also faced charges of repeatedly assaulting another junior soldier, C, in June of the same year and forcibly harassing him by stroking his chest with his hand.
During the trial, A claimed that he only lay on the bed to converse and make a junior soldier who was struggling to adapt to the unit feel more comfortable, denying any acts of harassment.
He also stated that the physical contact and assaults against the other junior soldier were merely pranks intended to build camaraderie and that he had no intent to commit harassment.
However, the court found all charges guilty, stating that the victims' statements were specific and consistent, and that the acts could not be viewed as simple pranks given the hierarchical relationship between senior and junior soldiers.
The court explained, "Given the strict chain of command and the characteristics of closed military life, it is extremely difficult for junior soldiers to immediately refuse physical contact from a senior." It added, "This was an act utilizing the senior's superior position and cannot be regarded as playful behavior in a horizontal relationship."
The court further pointed out, "The defendant repeatedly committed acts of harassment and assault against junior soldiers who were in a position where it was difficult to oppose him, and the victims had to endure physical and mental suffering without being able to offer much resistance in a closed environment."
"There is no reason why victims who enlisted to fulfill their national defense duties should have to suffer such damage during their military service," the court stated in explaining the sentencing rationale, taking into account that "the defendant has evaded responsibility by claiming his actions were merely pranks and has not taken any measures to help restore the victims."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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