The Army said Tuesday that military police had arrested an incumbent brigade commander on charges of sexually assaulting a female noncommissioned officer.

The colonel, 47, in charge of a unit in Gangwon Province, is alleged to have sexually assaulted the NCO, 21, at his military residence on several occasions in the past two months.

The colonel argues that the sexual relationship took place based on “mutual consent,” while the NCO says she was sexually assaulted. The names of the colonel and alleged victim were withheld from the media to protect their privacy.

The case was revealed as the Army is in the midst of a campaign to stamp out any sex crimes within its ranks with a “no tolerance” policy.

“This is a case that once again shows that we are committed to applying a no tolerance policy regardless of rank. We are currently protecting the victim, and making the utmost efforts to prevent a repeat of such a case,” an Army official told reporters, declining to be named.

Later in the day, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Kim Yo-hwan was to hold an impromptu meeting of top commanders to discuss the case and draw up measures to prevent any additional sexual crimes in the military.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)