Married Military Prosecutor’s Romantic Confession to Junior Officer Upheld as Sexual Harassment — 3-Month Pay Cut Stands
A court has upheld disciplinary action against a married military prosecutor who expressed romantic feelings toward a junior female officer, ruling that a three-month salary reduction was lawful.
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⚖️ Case Overview
Court: Seoul Administrative Court
Decision Date: December 12, 2025
Disposition Challenged: 3-month salary reduction
Result: Lawsuit dismissed — discipline upheld
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🧾 What Happened?
The plaintiff was an Air Force military prosecutor.
In June 2023, he:
Contacted a junior female officer privately.
Suggested meals and personal meetings.
Met her during work hours and went on a walk together.
Drove her in his vehicle.
During the meeting, he reportedly said:
“I’ve liked you for a long time.”
“I’ve had feelings for you.”
Both individuals were married at the time.
The junior officer reported the conduct as sexual harassment, stating she felt shocked and deeply uncomfortable.
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🔎 Internal Review Findings
The Air Force grievance committee concluded:
The mere act of private contact was not necessarily harassment.
However, the June 8 statements expressing romantic interest:
Caused sexual discomfort and humiliation.
Constituted sexual harassment.
The Ministry of National Defense later imposed a 3-month salary reduction.
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🛡️ Plaintiff’s Argument
The officer claimed:
The junior officer had first shown interest.
His comments were made to clarify boundaries.
The disciplinary process was flawed.
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🧠 Court’s Reasoning
The court rejected his arguments, emphasizing:
Audio recordings showed:
The plaintiff repeatedly expressing affection.
The junior officer appearing flustered and attempting to change the topic.
As a married superior officer:
Expressing romantic interest to a married subordinate could reasonably be perceived as humiliating and offensive.
The public interest in:
Preventing workplace sexual harassment.
Maintaining discipline within the military. outweighed the plaintiff’s personal disadvantage.
The court found no abuse of discretion in the disciplinary decision.
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📚 Why This Case Matters
Romantic confessions in hierarchical workplace settings can constitute harassment if they cause discomfort.
Power imbalance is a critical factor.
Even without explicit sexual language, repeated expressions of personal affection can qualify as misconduct.
Courts give deference to disciplinary authorities where:
Procedures are lawful.
Sanctions are proportionate.
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Key Takeaway
In structured organizations like the military, personal feelings voiced in the wrong direction and at the wrong rank can carry professional consequences.
Article: https://www.lawtimes.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=216295
