Air Force Colonel Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison on Appeal for Sexually Harassing, Attempting to Assault Subordinate

Crimes that harm others by abusing social status or power are subject to severe punishment. A 50-something Air Force Colonel has been sentenced to five years in prison, mirroring the first trial's ruling, on charges of sexually harassing and attempting to sexually assault a female subordinate officer, resulting in her injury. Criminal Division 1 of the Cheongju Branch of the Daejeon High Court sentenced Colonel A (50), formerly of the 17th Fighter Wing, who was arrested and indicted on charges of indecent assault and assault and battery resulting in injury of a soldier, to the same five-year prison term as the original sentence.

Colonel A was tried on charges of attempting to sexually assault subordinate officer B after a unit dinner, and indecently assaulting her by touching her body or holding her hand during their movement between a photo booth and quarters. During the commission of the crime, B suffered injuries requiring two weeks of medical treatment while resisting. B's side sought help from the Military Human Rights Center.

Colonel A claimed he had no intention of harassment. However, the first trial court did not accept his defense, citing consistency between the victim's testimony and objective evidence such as text messages and CCTV footage. The appellate court determined that the defendant, wielding dominant authority, bears significant responsibility for causing injury while attempting to sexually assault the victim.