"Take off even your underwear and stand in the hallway"... Marine senior's chilling forced naked punishment [Case File]

[The Financial News] In a barracks of the Marine Corps Logistics Support Group in Pohang, one order from a senior soldier was enough to force a junior to stand in the hallway wearing no pants or underwear. On another day, the junior had to do push-ups and sit-ups late into the night, over and over. He was also beaten several times for reacting too slowly to orders.
In early 2021, A, then a 27-year-old senior soldier serving in a company of the Marine Corps Logistics Support Group, was brought to trial on charges of repeatedly subjecting junior soldiers to cruel treatment.
The incidents began in late January 2021. A cursed at junior soldier B, 25, saying he did not like him, and ordered him, "Take off even your underwear and get out." The victim had to stand for about 10 seconds in the hallway in front of the barracks door wearing only his top.
A's cruel treatment continued. In February, late at night, he ordered junior soldier C, 24, to do 60 push-ups, 60 sit-ups, and hold a plank position for 2 minutes. Later that month, he made him repeatedly squeeze and release a hand gripper, inflicting physical pain.
The beatings also went on. When a junior reacted slowly to an order, A flicked his forehead with his finger in what soldiers call the "cannon" method. He also punched their forearms several times and pinched their thighs. These assaults were repeated over trivial reasons. If a junior became emotional after hearing a senior's discharge speech, or failed to memorize the dinner menu, A said their discipline was lacking and beat them.
In one incident, because a junior had not filled his canteen with water, A picked up a Daewoo Precision Industries K2 assault rifle fitted with a bayonet and struck down several times toward the victim's abdomen.
The case was referred to court after an internal military investigation and a probe by the military police. Based on the victims' statements and military investigation records, A's cruel acts and assaults were confirmed.
According to the legal community on the 16th, Single-Judge Criminal Division 6 of the Seoul Western District Court (Judge Kim Jin-sung of the 6th Criminal Division of the Seoul Western District Court) sentenced A, who was indicted on charges of abuse of authority by cruel acts, aggravated assault, and assault, to six months in prison, suspended for one year.
The court stated, "It is favorable to the defendant that he admits to the offenses and has no prior criminal record," but added, "However, it can by no means be regarded as minor that he repeatedly subjected junior soldiers to cruel acts and assaults by exploiting the power hierarchy within the military organization."
The court also applied Article 60-6 of the Military Criminal Act, which excludes crimes from being dismissed solely based on the victim's lack of intent to punish, even though some victims expressed that they did not wish A to be punished for the assaults.
The court explained that it determined the sentence by considering all circumstances, stating, "The victims have not been fully compensated, and the content and frequency of the cruel acts are not insignificant."

425_sama@fnnews.com Choi Seung-han Reporter