Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor, Summons Im Gi-hun and Jo Tae-yong Tomorrow... 'Yoon's Fury' to be Reconfirmed

[Financial News] The special prosecutor team of Chae Sang-byeong (Special Prosecutor Lee Myeong-hyeon) plans to summon Im Gi-hun, former National Defense Secretary of the Presidential Office, and Jo Tae-yong, former Director of the National Intelligence Service, on the 8th to verify the facts regarding the 'fury allegations' of former President Yoon Seok-yeol.
Jeong Min-young, the special prosecutor for Chae Sang-byeong, announced at a regular briefing on the 7th that they plan to summon Im, the former secretary, as a witness and Jo, the former director, as a suspect at 9:30 AM on the 8th. Jeong stated, "The investigation schedule was not set considering a face-to-face interrogation. It was arranged while coordinating schedules."
The two individuals were present at the so-called 'VIP Fury' meeting presided over by former President Yoon on July 31, 2023. Among the seven participants in the meeting, five, including the two, reportedly testified that former President Yoon was 'furious' after receiving the initial investigation results of the Marine Corps investigation team.
Regarding the death of the late Private Chae Su-geun, Im Seong-geun, former commander of the 1st Marine Division, who is under investigation for involuntary manslaughter, is reportedly exercising his right to remain silent in this second investigation.
Jeong, the special prosecutor, stated, "During the first investigation, we conducted a short investigation from 2 PM to about 6 PM, and he refused to testify significantly regarding the involuntary manslaughter charges," adding, "He is refusing to testify on many questions during the current investigation, just as he did last time."
The special prosecutor team is continuing its investigation based on the information secured during about a month of investigation since its launch. In today's investigation, questions will also be raised regarding the alleged 'rescue lobbying' along with the charges of abuse of authority. Im, the former division commander, stated, "I will only be investigated until 5 PM."
Before appearing today, Im conveyed to the press that his charges need to be specifically identified.
The special prosecutor plans to summon Kim Cheol-moon, former Gyeongbuk Police Chief, as a witness at 2 PM today. They have not decided whether to convert Kim's status to that of a suspect and plan to further verify the parts related to 'investigation pressure.' There is also a possibility of expanding the investigation to the investigation practitioners who were under Kim's command at the time.
Kim announced the investigation results of the Chae Sang-byeong death case on July 8 last year, deciding not to forward charges against Im, the former division commander, while deciding to forward charges of involuntary manslaughter against six others, including the battalion commander, to the prosecution.
Im, the former division commander, was the unit commander of the late Private Chae Su-geun, who participated in a search operation for missing persons in Yecheon-gun, Gyeongbuk, in July 2023. He is accused of ordering an underwater search, leading to Chae being swept away by a rapid current and dying.
The special prosecutor is also investigating the 'rescue lobbying' allegations that Im, the former division commander, attempted to seek rescue through Lee Jong-ho, CEO of Black Pearl Invest, and Protestant figures known to be acquainted with Kim Geon-hee, during the process where he was once excluded from the involuntary manslaughter charges and then included again.
Additionally, the special prosecutor plans to visit and investigate former Minister Kim, who is in custody, at Seoul Eastern Detention Center on the 18th.  



scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter