A male Army officer faces demotion after being charged with sexually harassing a female subordinate, sources said Tuesday, amid the military's zero-tolerance policy for sex crimes.

The lieutenant colonel of an unnamed Army division, whose identity was withheld, is suspected of sexually abusing the female officer several times, with other details not known.

"The case was referred to the disciplinary committee of the division headquarters, and they've decided to demote him to a lower rank," said an Army officer, requesting anonymity.

It is the first time that such a severe disciplinary action was taken against a suspected sex offender.

"The unusually heavy punishment came in line with the military's zero-tolerance policy against sex crimes at the barracks," he said, noting that the suspect would be forced to be dishonorably discharged from the military.

The officer has lodged an appeal with the defense ministry, which will make a final decision after additional deliberation, the defense ministry official said.

The military has come under criticism for a series of sexual abuse cases by service personnel in recent months that have laid bare lax discipline. In October, a two-star general was accused of sexually harassing a female non-commissioned officer at his office five times in the previous two months. (Yonhap)