Im Sunggeun and Lee Jongho Claimed Not to Know Each Other... Park Sungwoong Testifies "The Three of Us Had Dinner" in Special Probe on Corporal Chae

Summoned as a Reference in Im Sunggeun Lobbying Allegations
Contradicts Claims by Lee Jongho and Im Sunggeun of "No Prior Acquaintance"

The special investigation team led by Lee Myunghyun, which is probing allegations related to the death of Marine Corporal Chae, reportedly summoned actor Park Sungwoong as a reference in connection with suspicions of lobbying to save Im Sunggeun, former commander of the 1st Marine Division. On the 17th, Yonhap News reported that the special investigation team obtained testimony from Park last month, stating that “three years ago (in 2022), I had a meal at a location in Gangnam, Seoul, with Lee Jongho, former CEO of Black Pearl Invest, and former Commander Im, among others.” This statement directly contradicts former Commander Im’s previous claim, made when he appeared before the special investigation team in August, that he “did not know Lee at all.”

Actor Park Sungwoong. Photo by Asia Economy DB

Former Commander Im was the commanding officer of Corporal Chae, who died in the line of duty during flood recovery operations in Yecheon County, North Gyeongsang Province, on July 19, 2023. The Marine Corps investigation team, led by Colonel Park Junghoon, initially named Im as a suspect for occupational negligence resulting in death. However, on July 31 of the same year, after then-President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed outrage at the initial investigation results during a chief secretary meeting, Im was removed from the list of suspects. The special investigation team suspects that Lee, a close associate of First Lady Kim Keonhee, served as a key conduit for lobbying efforts to save Im.

Im Sunggeun, former commander of the 1st Marine Division, appeared on August 11 at the office of Special Investigator Lee Myunghyun for the fallen marine in Seocho-gu, Seoul, to undergo questioning and stated his position. Photo by Yoon Dongju

Both former Commander Im and former CEO Lee maintain that they do not know each other. During a recent special investigation team inquiry, Lee reportedly stated, “It is true that I had dinner with actor Park and others, but former Commander Im was not present at that gathering.” Im’s side also refuted the alleged meeting, stating, “As the division commander at the time, I would have had to report and obtain approval to leave my post in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province. If you check my movements, it will be clear that I did not meet with them.”

Previously, a photo of former CEO Lee taken at the 1st Marine Division in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, was made public during a National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee hearing in July of last year, raising suspicions that the parties involved were not telling the truth. The photo, taken in March 2023, shows Lee, Marine Corps Commandant Kim Gyehwan, and Song Hojong standing together. At the time, Assemblyman Jang Kyungtae of the Democratic Party of Korea released the photo and argued that Lee could be a key figure in the lobbying efforts to save former Commander Im.