'Negligent Manslaughter' Im Seong-geun Appears for Second Special Prosecutor Investigation...'No Criminal Responsibility'

[Financial News] Im Seong-geun, former commander of the 1st Marine Division, who is accused of negligent manslaughter in connection with the 'Corporal Chae's Death Case', appeared for the second time before the special prosecutor team (Lee Myung-hyun special prosecutor) on the 7th.
Former Commander Im appeared at the special prosecutor's office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, around 9:45 a.m. that day. In response to a reporter's question, 'Are you saying you have no responsibility for Corporal Chae's death?', he said, "I feel morally responsible as the original unit commander for the comprehensive and overall death of Corporal Chae," but added, "I understand that I have no criminal responsibility."
He argued that he did not have control over the scene at the time because the operational control at the flood recovery site had been transferred to another unit. He also explained regarding the search preparation for the missing person, "We were given enough time to prepare for the search over the two days from July 15 to 16, 2023."
Before the investigation that day, he insisted, "The special prosecutor must clarify what specific and direct negligence they are pinpointing in relation to Im Seong-geun," adding, "Only then can I exercise my right to defense as a suspect."
Regarding the charge of abuse of authority, he also stated, "For the charge to be established, I must have authority," and "They must specify what authority related to the charge I had," emphasizing, "They must specify what act of mine constitutes abuse of authority and what duties the marines were made to perform without obligation."
When asked what kind of conversations he had with former Marine Corps Commander Kim Gye-hwan via secure phone before and after Corporal Chae's death, he replied, "It is common for commanders and division commanders to have many conversations and calls via secure phone, including military matters, as they are in a direct superior-subordinate relationship," adding, "I remember focusing on calls related to the early stabilization of the unit."
Meanwhile, when asked if he knew Lee Jong-ho, the CEO of Black Pearl Invest, who is related to the 'rescue lobbying' suspicion, he said, "I have never met him," and "I learned about him through the hearings and the media after the incident occurred."
The special prosecutor team started the second suspect investigation of former Commander Im at 10 a.m. that day. Previously, during the first summons investigation on the 2nd, it was known that former Commander Im refused to testify on most of the 'negligent manslaughter' charges, only partially responding to questions related to abuse of authority, false reporting, and rescue lobbying.



scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter