Seoul: The state anti-corruption investigation office announced on Wednesday that it has suspended its attempt to raid the presidential office concerning allegations that former President Yoon Suk Yeol interfered in a military investigation into the death of a Marine conscript two years ago.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) stated that its prosecutors and investigators had attempted to carry out a search at the presidential compound in Yongsan, central Seoul. However, the raid operation was halted at approximately 5:30 p.m. The CIO's press notice mentioned that the search and seizure operation targeting the presidential secretariat and the national security office was suspended, and discussions regarding its execution are ongoing.

This incident marks the first time the CIO has attempted to raid the presidential office since commencing its investigation into the case. The case revolves around allegations of Yoon's possible involvement in the Marine Corps' investigation into the death of Corporal Chae Su-geun. Chae was swept away by a swollen stream in Yecheon, 161 kilometers southeast of Seoul, in July 2023 while on a search mission following heavy rains.

Marine Corps investigators had held Lim Seong-geun, the former commander of the Marine Corps 1st Division to which Chae belonged, and seven others responsible for the conscript's death. They sought to transfer them to police on charges of negligent homicide and other offenses. Former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup initially approved the investigation findings and the transfer plan, but allegedly reversed his decision under pressure from Yoon.

The CIO is reportedly seeking visitor logs and meeting records from the presidential office related to Yoon's alleged interference in the military probe. The search and seizure warrant reportedly names Yoon as a suspect in an abuse of power case.