By Lee Min-hyung
The defense ministry is undergoing criticism over continuous reports of sex crimes committed by ranking military officials.
Despite the ministry's pledge to put an end to sex scandals, the number of sex crimes reported in the military is on rising each year.
According to the Ministry of National Defense, the number of military sex offenses more than doubled to 68 in 2016, compared to 32 in 2013.
On Monday, the Republic of Korea Army decided to dismiss a one-star general officer from his post due to his involvement in sexual harassment. According to the Army, the officer, whose name was withheld, touched the hands of a female soldier in March after having dinner.
Details over whether he attempted to commit additional harassment will be unveiled after further investigation, according to the Army.
“As of Monday, the general is relieved of his duties over the allegation that he sexually harassed the victim,” an Army official said. “We express deep regret over the incident. The Army plans to carry out thorough investigations into the case, and impose stern punishment on the assailant.”
According to the Army's investigation department, two other female soldiers also reported that they were sexually harassed by the general. But as the investigation is still ongoing, nothing specific has been found over the cases, according to the department.
Last week, Defense Minister Song Young-moo held an emergency meeting with top military officials to discuss countermeasures to stop sex crimes committed by those in power.
The meeting came a day after a Navy rear admiral was detained on Tuesday for allegedly attempting to rape a female sailor. The military immediately dismissed him from his post and is still carrying out an investigation of the incident.
With the report making headlines here, Song pledged to hand down the toughest punishment against any sex crimes, and called on the military to do their utmost to rectify wrong perceptions of sex in the military. Most of reported sex crimes there are committed by senior soldiers against juniors.
Starting this year, the so-called #MeToo movement has gained wider public support in Korea, with minors in every corner of society gaining the courage to report sexual assaults and harassment committed by those in power.
To add to the social atmosphere, the defense ministry had run a special taskforce dedicated to preventing sex crimes from February to April, as part of its efforts to analyze details about crime patterns in military camps.