Naval Officer Sentenced for Stealing Underwear from Female Soldiers

A 20-year-old radar technician in the South Korean Navy has received a suspended prison sentence for secretly entering the sleeping quarters of female soldiers and stealing their underwear. On June 29, 2025, Judge Kim Joo-seong of the Suwon District Court sentenced the defendant, referred to as A, to three months in prison, suspended for one year, after being charged with burglary and trespassing.

The incidents occurred while A was on duty aboard a Navy Aegis destroyer. On December 25, 2023, around 4 a.m., he unlawfully entered the female soldiers' sleeping area and stole three pieces of underwear from the locker of Sergeant B. Additionally, on May 12, 2024, at approximately 5:43 a.m., he was found to have entered the same area again, stealing three pieces of underwear from two other female soldiers, including Sergeant C.

Judge Kim stated, "The defendant's actions of breaking into the victims' rooms at night to steal their underwear reflect poorly on his character, and he has not received forgiveness from the victims. However, the court considered that he acknowledged his wrongdoing and showed remorse, as well as the fact that he has no prior criminal record."