S. Korean soldier files petition over sexual assault

A South Korean soldier on Wednesday filed a petition to the National Human Rights Commission of Korea against his fellow servicemen for alleged sexual assault and physical abuse.

According to the commission, a 20 year-old man who enlisted in the military in Gangwon Province in October 2012, asked for help, claiming that he was sexually harassed and beaten for six months by his fellow soldiers in the unit.

The victim attempted to commit suicide several times and was hospitalized and diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Military authorities are now investigating the case involving the military unit to confirm whether sexual harassment and violence took place as alleged by the victim.

All able-bodied South Korean men must serve nearly two years in the armed forces with the country technically still at war with North Korea.

By Im Woo-jung, Intern reporter
(iwj@heraldcorp.com)