Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Team’s First Indictment: Former Division Commander Im Seong-geun... "Multiple Pieces of Evidence Show He Was Aware of Underwater Search" [Comprehensive]

[Financial News] The Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Team, led by Lee Myeong-hyeon, has indicted Im Seong-geun, former commander of the 1st Marine Division, and other military commanders on charges of occupational negligence resulting in death in connection with the death of the late Private First Class Chae Soo-geun. The special prosecutor’s office determined that there is substantial evidence indicating that Im was aware of the progress of the underwater search at the time of the incident, thus establishing the charge of occupational negligence resulting in death. As a result, two years and three months after the death of Private First Class Chae Soo-geun, Im, the senior commander, will now stand trial.
On the 10th, Jeong Min-young, deputy special prosecutor for the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Team, stated at a regular briefing, "In connection with the death of Private First Class Chae Soo-geun on July 19, 2023, former commander Im has been indicted and detained on charges of occupational negligence resulting in death and violation of military criminal law orders."
Jeong explained, "In the case of former commander Im, he violated a fragmentary order from higher authorities to transfer operational control to the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) and instead continued to exercise substantial control and command over the operation." He added, "Prioritizing media publicity and results over the safety of the troops, he ordered an unreasonable search and issued various instructions such as ‘checkerboard search,’ ‘search while probing downward,’ and ‘securing chest waders.’"
The marines began the underwater search on July 18, 2023, the day before Private First Class Chae Soo-geun’s death, and this was reported in the media through photographs. Jeong noted, "Former commander Im was aware of the underwater search but condoned and neglected it," and stated, "His operational control and command amounted to occupational negligence and were the cause of Private First Class Chae Soo-geun’s death."
The special prosecutor’s office also found multiple indications that Im and others attempted to influence the testimony of other suspects and witnesses. Additionally, just before a search and seizure, he allegedly moved photos of marines conducting underwater searches to a secure folder on his phone to conceal them.
Furthermore, the special prosecutor’s office determined that there is considerable evidence showing Im was aware of the underwater search, such as receiving video news links related to the search and, immediately after the accident, asking the commander of the 7th Artillery Battalion, "To what extent did you instruct your troops to enter the water?"
However, the special prosecutor did not apply the charge of abuse of authority to Im. The team concluded that while Im generally had the authority to perform his duties, it was not legally clear that his operational control at the time constituted an abuse of power, so the case was instead prosecuted as a violation of military criminal law orders.
Additionally, the special prosecutor indicted four other commanders without detention on charges of occupational negligence resulting in death, including then-2nd Rapid Response Unit Commander (7th Brigade Commander) Park Sang-hyun, two artillery battalion commanders, and one company commander.
Jeong stated, "In the case of former brigade commander Park, he conveyed operational guidelines unclearly and relayed the division commander’s unreasonable orders without any safety measures." He continued, "Because the division and brigade commanders pressured the troops to search for the missing person, field commanders expanded the entry limits without securing safety equipment, and the accident occurred during the forced underwater search."
The special prosecutor also added that, in addition to the 7th Artillery Battalion, evidence was secured of previously undisclosed hazardous situations, including underwater searches, in several other marine units such as the 11th Artillery Battalion and the 73rd Infantry Battalion.
After a broad investigation involving more than 80 suspects, victims, and witnesses, the special prosecutor reached these conclusions. The investigation included site inspections in Yecheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do, where the incident occurred, and at major Marine Corps units, as well as five interrogations and a search of Im’s residence.
Jeong stated, "The death of Private First Class Chae Soo-geun was a grave incident in which a 20-year-old soldier lost his life while serving in the military, and many other marines faced serious risks to their lives and safety." He added, "There was ongoing pressure from higher-ups during the investigation after the accident, and for nearly two years, no one was indicted. Taking over the case, I carried out the investigation with a heavy sense of responsibility."

scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter