4-star general questioned for alleged mistreatment of soldiers

Gen. Park Chan-ju, the commander of the Army’s 2nd Operations Command, speaks to reporters before entering the Ministry of National Defense for questioning on alleged mistreatment of soldiers assigned to him, Tuesday. Yonhap

By Lee Kyung-min

Military prosecutors questioned Gen. Park Chan-ju, Tuesday, over allegations that he and his wife mistreated numerous soldiers, who described their experiences as “enslavement.”

The summons came amid a growing number of complaints filed with the Center for Military Human Rights Korea, including one from a soldier who allegedly attempted suicide due to the stress.

“I am deeply sorry for causing concern to the people. I feel devastated,” said the commander of the Army’s 2nd Operations Command before facing the military prosecution at the Ministry of National Defense.

Park was transferred to a different department after he submitted a letter of resignation following the scandal that erupted last week. The military said it rejected his request to be discharged as accepting the resignation would enable him avoid the ongoing military investigation.

“I ask to be discharged because I do not want to be clinging on to my current post. I have not heard from the military yet.”

Park and his wife, only identified by her surname Jeon, allegedly exploited soldiers posted at his official residence who were serving their mandatory military duty.

According to the military human rights center, the soldiers wore electronic bracelets that would vibrate when the wife needed them. If they failed to appear immediately, they had to endure a severe tirade of verbal abuse.

Jeon frequently insulted the soldiers by saying “How have your parents raised you? Pathetic.” Such a comment was made when a soldier did not manage a household chore well including cooking, cleaning and doing laundry.

Meanwhile, the summons came hours after Jeon, who returned in the early hours of Tuesday following 15 hours of questioning over the allegations.

A day earlier, Jeon drew ire for saying, “I treated them like my own sons,” before entering the ministry for questioning. She added she was sorry to the soldiers and their families if she hurt them.