In April, a soldier from a North Korean defector family attempted suicide at a military base in Goyang, South Korea, after enduring persistent bullying from fellow servicemembers. Military authorities have since referred one soldier to prosecutors for alleged misconduct and pledged to implement preventive measures against future incidents.
The victim, identified as Soldier A, is a third-country-born defector with a North Korean mother and Chinese father. After entering South Korea with his mother, A completed alternative schooling and passed high school equivalency exams to secure officially recognized academic credentials.
Soldier A began his service in an artillery unit in December 2024. He reported facing discrimination and verbal abuse, including derogatory slurs such as “Chinky” and “Korean knock-off,” referencing his Chinese background. The situation escalated on April 23 when Soldier A, unable to cope with the persistent harassment, jumped from the second floor of the barracks’ multipurpose room. He sustained severe spinal injuries and has since undergone two surgeries at the Korean Armed Forces Capital Hospital, where he continues to receive treatment.
Both Soldier A and the Center for Military Human Rights Korea reported that the victim struggled with effective communication and seeking help due to language barriers. Despite attempts to resolve the situation through transfer requests and counseling, A’s efforts were reportedly dismissed.
The Center for Military Human Rights Korea stated in a Tuesday press release that Soldier A’s request for transfer to a unit with a Chinese-speaking superior was denied by the battery commander. Further adding that multiple counseling sessions proved ineffective, with unit leadership downplaying the severity of the situation and even suggesting that the alleged perpetrator was the one suffering.
The center also accused the military of attempting to conceal the true nature of the incident. The initial April report merely stated that Soldier A fell from a window, omitting crucial context. Despite protests from Soldier A’s family, the battery commander allegedly refused to amend the report. It wasn’t until July, following communication between Soldier A’s family and the battalion commander, that the report was updated to include Soldier A’s difficulties with the Korean language and cultural adaptation.
An Army spokesperson clarified the discrepancy, stating that the April report was for hospital admission procedures, while the July version was for the evaluation of service-related injuries. The spokesperson clarified that the content was not modified; the reports served different purposes.
The Army has completed its initial investigation, referring one soldier to military prosecutors for alleged harassment. Officials stated they are prepared to reopen the investigation if additional complaints surface. The incident has prompted a commitment to enhance support and management protocols for multicultural service members, in coordination with the Ministry of National Defense.
