Chae Private Special Prosecutor Team Requests Arrest Warrant for Former Division Commander Im Seong-geun...“Witness Tampering and Obstruction of Investigation”

[Financial News] The Chae Private Special Prosecutor Team, led by Lee Myeong-hyeon, has requested an arrest warrant for Im Seong-geun, the former commander of the 1st Marine Division and the original unit commander of the late Private Chae. The special prosecutor team determined that it was necessary to investigate Im in custody, given ongoing indications of witness tampering and obstruction of the investigation by Im since the incident occurred.
Jung Min-young, deputy special prosecutor for the Chae Private Special Prosecutor Team, announced at a regular briefing on the 21st, “We have requested arrest warrants this morning for Im Seong-geun, former commander of the 1st Marine Division, and Choi Jin-gyu, former commander of the 11th Artillery Battalion, both suspects in the death of Private Chae, on charges of occupational negligence resulting in death or injury.” He added, “We believe it is necessary to investigate Im in custody, as the charges are substantiated, the crime is serious, and there is a significant risk of evidence destruction.”
The special prosecutor team submitted the warrant to the Seoul Central District Court at around 9:40 a.m. today. A pretrial detention hearing could take place as early as this week.
Since launching the investigation in July, the special prosecutor team has conducted extensive inquiries into those involved, supplementing previous investigations by police and prosecutors. They visited Yecheon County, Gyeongsangbuk-do, where the incident occurred, as well as Pohang, home to the 1st Marine Division, and Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, where the Republic of Korea Marine Corps Headquarters is located. The team also interviewed over 80 service members and commanders from the 1st Marine Division.
Jung stated, “We have confirmed additional key facts that were not identified before the special prosecutor’s investigation,” and continued, “Based on evidence and statements obtained through further investigation, we have determined that occupational negligence by Im and others is substantiated.”
The special prosecutor team also revealed that Im faces charges of violating military law by disobeying orders. Despite lacking operational command authority at the time, he allegedly issued specific instructions related to the operation. The team further emphasized that Im has repeatedly engaged in witness tampering and obstructing the investigation since the incident occurred.

scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter