Im Seong-keun, Held Responsible for Corporal Chae's Death, Receives 3-Year Prison Sentence Again on Appeal... "Neglected Safety Measures"

[Financial News] Former 1st Marine Division commander Im Seong-keun, who was named as responsible for the death of Corporal Chae, was not spared a prison sentence on appeal either.
The Criminal Division 4-3 panel of the Seoul High Court, presided over by judges Jeon Ji-won, Kim In-gyeom and Seong Ji-yong, sentenced Im to three years in prison on July 7, the same term handed down by the lower court, on charges including occupational negligence resulting in injury. The court also upheld sentences of one year and six months in prison for former 7th Marine Brigade commander Park Sang-hyun and former 11th Artillery Battalion commander Choi Jin-gyu, who were tried together for overseeing the flood-hit site.
The panel said the occupational negligence of the Marine Corps command and related officials combined in sequence to cause the accident, and ruled that they were jointly liable as co-principals of occupational negligence resulting in death or injury.
It added, "They had a duty to control the entry of troops into the water and put in place safety measures, but they neglected that duty after sending them into a dangerous area without basic safety gear such as life jackets." It also said, "As a result, strict accountability is unavoidable, given that Corporal Chae, who had been in the military for only four months, died at the age of 20."
However, the court noted, "The defendants carried out operations under heavy pressure in a national disaster situation, and the poor field conditions on the day of the accident left no time for risk assessment or reconnaissance, which should be considered in sentencing."
Regarding Im, the court criticized him, saying, "Although he was the top commander responsible for the safety of his troops, he infringed on operational control, undermined the command structure, concealed the search process after the accident, and checked investigative details, abandoning his moral responsibility as a commander and focusing only on evading accountability."
The court said it determined the sentence after taking into account his 34 years of service as a Marine and his dedication to the country.
After the ruling, Corporal Chae's mother told reporters, "The anguish of parents who have buried their child in their hearts has collapsed once again." She added, "I am left empty that the appeal ruling we had waited for came out like this."
Im, who was the superior officer of Corporal Chae, who died in the flood response operation in Yecheon County, North Gyeongsang Province, on July 19, 2023, was indicted on charges of violating his duty to ensure safety, including ordering troops to conduct underwater searches at waist-deep water without providing safety gear such as life jackets. He was also charged with violating a fragmentary order that transferred operational control to the Army at the time.

[email protected] Jung Kyung-soo Reporter