Seoul: A special counsel team announced plans to question former President Yoon Suk Yeol next week as part of their investigation into alleged government interference in a military inquiry concerning the death of a young Marine in 2023. The team, led by special counsel Lee Myeong-hyeon, intends to summon Yoon on Monday for questioning later in the week regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun in July 2023, as stated by assistant special counsel Choung Min-young during a briefing.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the investigation focuses on accusations that certain initial suspects were cleared from the probe due to alleged interference by the Yoon administration. The special counsel team is examining claims that Yoon reacted angrily during a meeting with senior presidential officials upon learning that the investigation blamed a senior Marine commander for Chae's death. Following this meeting, the probe's findings were reportedly altered to drop charges of death by negligence against the commander.

The special counsel team has interrogated multiple former government and military officials allegedly linked to the case, including former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and former Marine Corps Commandant Kim Kye-hwan. Cpl. Chae's tragic death occurred during a search mission for victims of torrential rain when he was swept away by an overflowing stream, reportedly without wearing a life vest or other appropriate safety gear.