Funeral for Air Force sexual abuse victim held 3 years after death

The funeral for a sexual abuse victim, whose case caused public outrage over the military's mishandling, began Thursday, over three years after the noncommissioned officer took her own life. Lee Ye-ram, a then 23-year-old female master sergeant affiliated with the 20th Fighter Wing, killed herself in May 2021, two months after she filed a complaint of being molested by a male superior of the same rank. Investigations into Lee's death showed that the late servicewomen suffered additional sexual assault, as well as attempts by her colleagues to cover up the case without providing necessary help, sparking intense public anger over sexual crime in the barracks. Lee's bereaved family had initially refused to hold a funeral for her until relevant officials are held accountable but apparently changed their mind due to health issues and through consultation with the Air Force. Lee Ju-wan, the late soldier's father, asked the public to remember his daughter's case and said he has asked the military to take measure s for this purpose, such as erecting a memorial stone in remembrance of her. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Lee Young-su, who paid his respects in a funeral room set up at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital in Seongnam, south of Seoul, said he prays for her eternal peace and pledged to build an Air Force with a healthier culture. Lee will be laid to rest at Seoul National Cemetery following a three-day funeral that will run through Saturday. The master sergeant, surnamed Jang, has been sentenced to seven years in prison on charges of assaulting Lee. Another year was later added to his sentence on charges of defaming her by falsely stating he was wrongly accused. Source: Yonhap News Agency