Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor, 'Meotjaenghaebyeong' Member Song Ho-jong Recalled... "Request for Report to National Assembly"

[Financial News] The Chae Sang-byeong special prosecutor team (Lee Myeong-hyeon special prosecutor) has reportedly requested the National Assembly to report Song Ho-jong, a member of the 'Meotjaenghaebyeong' group chat, pointed out as the channel of the so-called 'rescue lobbying' suspicion. This measure was taken as Mr. Song testified that he did not know former Marine Corps 1st Division Commander Lim Seong-geun at the National Assembly, but a photo taken together was released, sparking a 'perjury' controversy.
Jeong Min-young, assistant special prosecutor for Chae Sang-byeong, said at a regular briefing on the 25th, "It is true that we requested a report to the National Assembly regarding perjury," and "Since it is a matter that the National Assembly should report, we provided reference materials related to the report to the National Assembly."
Mr. Song, a member of the 'Meotjaenghaebyeong' group chat, has claimed not to know former Division Commander Lim, but a photo of the two together in December 2023 was recently released in the media, embroiling him in a false testimony controversy. Mr. Song is known to have been acquainted with former Division Commander Lim as a former member of the Presidential Security Service. The special prosecutor team previously executed a search and seizure warrant against Mr. Song on the 12th of last month to secure a mobile phone, and conducted the first witness investigation on the 18th.
Regarding this, Assistant Special Prosecutor Jeong said, "I understand that we can proceed with the investigation only if the National Assembly reports it," but added, "Today's investigation is not related to perjury." He also drew a line against the claim that the photo was leaked through an incorrect route, saying, "We have not leaked any materials."
Mr. Song, who appeared at the special prosecutor's office at 8:51 a.m. on this day, responded to the disclosure of the photo with former Division Commander Lim by asking, "What crime is it to invite someone to my house for a comforting meal?" He further explained, "I also talked about it at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), and had a meal at home that winter."
When asked if there had been any discussions about Lim Seong-geun's rescue lobbying in the group chat, he said, "It would be good to talk after seeing the group chat," and added, "I came to answer sincerely in uncovering the truth."
The special prosecutor team is also re-investigating Park Sang-hyun, former Marine Corps 1st Division 7th Brigade Commander, and Choi Jin-gyu, former 11th Artillery Battalion Commander, on charges of 'negligent homicide' related to the death of Chae Sang-byeong.
Former Brigade Commander Park was in a position to receive reports and give orders to the artillery battalion commander as the senior field commander during the flood recovery operation on July 17, 2023. Former Battalion Commander Choi was the senior commander among the artillery brigade commanders at the time, directly communicating with former Brigade Commander Park and overseeing the search for missing persons in the Naeseongcheon area where the accident occurred.
Assistant Special Prosecutor Jeong explained, "We believe further investigation is needed for the suspects charged with negligent homicide," and "other suspect investigations may take place in the future."
Moreover, the special prosecutor team is analyzing photo and video materials taken around Bomun Bridge in Naeseongcheon, Yecheon-gun, Gyeongbuk, where the Chae Sang-byeong death incident occurred on July 18-19, 2023, obtained from over 10 media outlets. These records will be used for investigation and prosecution purposes.
Additionally, the special prosecutor will summon Park Jeong-hoon, Marine Corps Investigation Team Leader (Colonel), as a witness for questioning. The special prosecutor team plans to verify discrepancies between Colonel Park's testimony and other parties' testimonies regarding former Marine Corps Commander Kim Gye-hwan's statement related to former President Yoon Seok-yeol's angry remarks.

scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter