Seoul: Special counsel Lee Myeong-hyeon's team concluded its extensive 150-day investigation into the cover-up surrounding the 2023 death of Marine Cpl. Chae Su-geun, resulting in the indictment of 33 individuals, including former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee disclosed the investigation's findings at a press conference, emphasizing the team's mission to uncover how authorities influenced an earlier probe into those accountable for Chae's death during his search for heavy rain victims in Yecheon, approximately 160 kilometers southeast of Seoul. The investigation aimed to resolve all suspicions and reveal the substantive truth related to key individuals involved.
The special counsel charged Yoon with abuse of power for allegedly reversing the outcome of a preliminary Marine probe to exclude certain Marine leaders, including Lim Seong-geun, from the list of suspects. Yoon also faced additional charges for aiding a criminal's escape by appointing former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup as ambassador to Australia despite Lee being a suspect in the case.
Further indictments included 13 individuals charged with interfering in the military investigation, six accused of facilitating the former defense minister's flight, and five former and current officials of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) implicated in Chae's death. Among those charged were former National Security Adviser Cho Tae-yong, former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae, and Lim, the ex-commander of the Marine Corps 1st Division.
Special counsel Lee highlighted that Lim's aggressive operational control was a critical factor leading to the accident, aligning with the original findings of the Marine Corps investigation team. Lee also exposed coordinated efforts by the presidential office, foreign ministry, and justice ministry to unlawfully appoint the former defense minister as ambassador to Australia.
The special counsel intends to forward a dereliction of duty case involving North Gyeongsang Provincial Government officials to the CIO for further examination of allegations that they assisted Lim in evading responsibility. Lee underscored the seriousness of external pressure on investigations, labeling it a significant power-related crime that undermines the independence and fairness of investigations, and called for stringent judicial action.