Special Prosecutor Team for the Death of Corporal Chae Raids National Office of Investigation and Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency Over Alleged Investigation Interference... More Than 10 Individuals Targeted

[Financial News] The Special Prosecutor Team for the Death of Corporal Chae, led by Lee Myeong-hyeon, has launched raids targeting police officials involved in the investigation of the ROK Marine Corps Corporal Chae’s death, in connection with allegations of external pressure on the case.
At a regular briefing on the 22nd, Jeong Min-young, assistant special prosecutor, stated, "From this morning, we are conducting searches and seizures of officials from the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency and related personnel." More than 10 individuals are subject to the raids.
The raids were carried out simultaneously at various police agencies and stations across the country, including the National Office of Investigation, Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency, and Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency, as the officials involved had been reassigned. The targets included former Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency chiefs Choi Joo-won and Cheol-Moon Kim, who are suspects, as well as others being questioned as witnesses.
In August 2023, the Marine Corps Criminal Investigation Division referred Im Seong-geun, former commander of the 1st Division of the ROK Marine Corps, and seven others to the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency on charges of involuntary manslaughter. However, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) immediately retrieved the case files. Later that month, on the 21st, the MND returned the case to the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency, excluding Im and others as suspects. After about a year of investigation, the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency decided not to indict Im.
Assistant Special Prosecutor Jeong explained, "The scope of the special prosecutor’s investigation includes whether there was any undue pressure or improper handling by higher authorities, such as the Office of the President of South Korea, during the process." The Special Prosecutor Team initiated the raids after identifying circumstances requiring further verification during the year-long investigation by the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency.
The Special Prosecutor Team plans to summon former President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning on the 23rd. While Yoon’s side requested an interview at the detention center, the Special Prosecutor Team maintained that in-person attendance is the principle. If Yoon appears, investigators will focus on whether there was interference in the investigation and whether instructions were given regarding Lee Jong-sup’s appointment as ambassador to Australia.
Meanwhile, regarding allegations of lobbying to save Im from indictment, the Special Prosecutor Team also denied claims by Lee Jong-ho, former CEO of Black Pearl Invest, that he was subjected to coercive questioning. The team asserted, "We have never threatened Mr. Lee with asset seizure or similar measures," and dismissed the claims as one-sided allegations.
scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter