The head of the South Korean Air Force resigned due to a scandal in connection with the death of one of the soldiers. The family of the female sergeant claims she committed suicide after being sexually assaulted by a male colleague, the Associated Press reported.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said he accepted the resignation of the Air Force Chief of Staff who had previously issued a statement to reporters, saying that he acknowledges the heavy responsibility for the woman's death.

According to a petition filed by the woman's family, she reported the case to her superiors, but committed suicide in May after they tried to cover up the incident and pressured her into reaching a private agreement with her abuser

As of Friday afternoon, more than 340,000 people have signed a petition calling for punishment for Air Force officials involved in any cover-up.

The scandal prompted the president to order the military to conduct a thorough investigation of the situation in the Air Force.

The South Korean military has long been criticized for failing to protect female military personnel and officers from sexual harassment and violence.

In 2017, a female naval officer committed suicide after being raped by a senior officer who was later sentenced to 15 years in prison. In 2013, a female army officer committed suicide after being pursued by a male boss who forced her to have sex with him. He was sentenced to two years in prison.