Seoul: Former Marine Corps Commandant Kim Kye-hwan appeared Tuesday for a court hearing to review a warrant for his arrest over allegations that he and other high-ranking officials intervened in an initial probe into the death of a young Marine in 2023.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the retired three-star general is suspected of being involved in the alleged interference in the military probe of the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun. Chae died while searching for torrential rain victims in July 2023 without necessary safety equipment, such as a life jacket. The investigation has concentrated on allegations that former President Yoon Suk Yeol became furious during a meeting of senior presidential officials in July 2023 after being briefed on the probe's results, which found a senior Marine commander responsible for Chae's death.

During the two-hour hearing, Kim acknowledged for the first time that he had heard about Yoon's alleged outburst of anger after his previous repeated denials, according to his lawyer. Kim is suspected of informing the top Marine investigator in charge of the initial probe about Yoon. Previously, he denied such actions in testimonies given at the National Assembly and in court.

His lawyer argued that Kim could not discuss the specifics of what he had heard until now because it was based on hearsay. The lawyer contended that the warrant request should be rejected, as there are no concerns of flight or destruction of evidence. Meanwhile, the special counsel team called for Kim's arrest in a briefing, citing his communications with other military officials that suggest a risk of evidence tampering.

The court is expected to deliver its decision on whether to issue a warrant for Kim's arrest as early as later in the day.