A cadre with the North Korean army’s IV Corps was recently arrested by military prosecutors on charges of sexually assaulting female soldiers over the past few years, Daily NK has learned.
A source in North Korea told Daily NK on Monday that the individual is a colonel surnamed Kim who is in his 40s and has been serving as the head of political affairs in a division in the IV Corps.
Kim’s arrest came after the authorities learned about his repeated sexual harassment, molestation and assault of female soldiers in the division, behavior that continued ever since he was appointed the division’s director of political affairs in 2018.
The investigation discovered that Kim generally targeted women who were about to leave the military.
Since the beginning of last year, Kim had been asking a female soldier in one of the division’s companies to visit his room for what were ostensibly counseling sessions about her upcoming discharge this year. During those sessions, he coerced her to have sex.
While suggesting that he could help the woman become a party member before her discharge, Kim kept pushing her to have improper relations, ultimately impregnating her.
The source explained that after these events were reported to the leaders of the IV Corps, an investigation was swiftly conducted, leading to Kim’s arrest.
“In the past, this would have ended with a demotion or punishment within the party. But this time, everyone was shocked to learn that the official had been cuffed and carted off in front of the soldiers,” the source said.
There is nothing new about cadres in the North Korean army exploiting their position and power to sexually abuse women under their command. What makes this case so unusual is the speed of the investigation and the arrest of the offender.
“While female soldiers have often suffered horribly at the hands of cadres in the military, it’s the women who have been blamed in the past. But this time, it appears that the military has recognized the severity of the case and will make an example of Kim to send a warning to the other cadres,” the source said.
The source further explained that female soldiers do not feel comfortable reporting sexual crimes they have suffered. One reason is that there are few legal grounds for punishing sexual assault or misconduct in the military. Those who do come forward are also stigmatized for doing so.
Translated by David Carruth. Edited by Robert Lauler.
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