Democratic Party "Defense Minister Should Be Dismissed and Special Investigation Conducted"
Some Ruling Party Members "Timing of Personnel Change Is Delicate... Hiding Witnesses?"
Suspicions of external pressure on the investigation into former Marine Corps Investigation Unit Commander (Colonel) Park Jeong-hoon, who was booked on charges of insubordination while investigating the death of the late Corporal Chae Soo-geun, are spreading. As news emerged that the Presidential Office is considering personnel changes, the so-called 'scapegoating' suspicion is growing. Even within the ruling party, there are calls for a fact-finding investigation into the allegations.
The Democratic Party announced on the 6th that it would propose a special prosecutor bill regarding the concealment of the investigation into Corporal Chae's case and the Presidential Office's involvement. Earlier, on the 5th, during the National Assembly's government questioning session, there were even remarks about impeachment due to abuse of power.
Colonel Park, who investigated Corporal Chae's case, received face-to-face approval from Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop on July 30 for a report stating that eight individuals, including Im Seong-geun, commander of the Marine Corps 1st Division, would be transferred to the police on charges of professional negligence resulting in death. On July 31, Minister Lee instructed through Marine Corps Commander Kim Gye-hwan not to transfer the investigation records to the police.
However, Colonel Park transferred the records to the police on August 2, and the Ministry of National Defense dismissed him from his post as investigation unit commander and booked him with the Defense Ministry prosecution on charges of collective insubordination (later changed to 'insubordination'). Colonel Park claimed that there was external pressure to limit the charges to professional negligence and that he heard an explanation through Commander Kim that "the VIP was enraged, which led to this situation."
This contradicts Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop's statement (on August 4 during the National Assembly Budget Committee plenary session) that "there was no instruction to exclude suspects when sending the records," as well as the Ministry of National Defense's previous stance.
Former Marine Corps Investigation Unit Commander (Colonel) Park Jeong-hoon, who was dismissed while investigating the death in the line of duty of Corporal Chae Mo, is seen on the morning of the 5th attending an investigation for insubordination at the Military Prosecutor's Office of the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan-gu, responding to questions from the press. [Image source=Yonhap News]
The Democratic Party is urging President Yoon Seok-yeol to dismiss Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop. Senior Spokesperson Kwon Chil-seung said on the 6th, "The arrest warrant request for former Marine Corps Investigation Unit Commander Park Jeong-hoon included testimony from the Marine Corps Commander that 'there was an instruction from the minister.'" He added, "It was also confirmed that Yoo Jae-eun, the Ministry of National Defense's legal affairs officer, told former Commander Park over the phone to 'exclude the charges and only hand over the investigation records.'
Senior Spokesperson Kwon emphasized, "The public will not tolerate a Defense Minister who shamelessly lies after exerting external pressure to protect the division commander responsible for Corporal Chae's death," adding, "If President Yoon refuses to dismiss him, it can only be interpreted that the external pressure on the investigation was ordered by the president."
As the allegations spread, criticism calling for fact-finding has emerged even within the ruling party. Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min said on KBS Radio on the 7th, "For insubordination under military criminal law, the order must be legitimate," adding, "But considering the various suspicions involving the Ministry of National Defense and the Presidential Office regarding the part investigated by Colonel Park, was it really legitimate? Didn't the Marine Corps Commander, the Navy Chief of Staff, and the minister approve the report and then it was overturned?"
He continued, "According to Colonel Park's testimony, the VIP, the president, was enraged and called the Defense Minister to reprimand him, saying, 'Who will take the division commander position if this continues?'" He argued, "If this is true, it would be the first case since President Yoon Seok-yeol's inauguration where illegal abuse of power has been concretely revealed."
In this situation, news that President Yoon Seok-yeol is considering simultaneously replacing National Security Office Deputy Director Im Jong-deuk and Defense Secretary Im Ki-hoon has raised suspicions about the timing of the personnel changes. It is being seen as a possible 'scapegoating' related to the external pressure allegations on Colonel Park's investigation.
Former lawmaker Yoo said, "It makes no sense," and added, "It is about hiding or removing key witnesses one by one." He explained, "On the morning of July 30, the Defense Secretary was present at the senior secretaries' meeting attended by the president and gave a report. If the president was enraged and reprimanded the Defense Minister by phone at that meeting, everyone present at the senior secretaries' meeting would have heard it."
He also pointed out, "During parliamentary audits or investigations, the ruling and opposition parties fight over witness selection, and if witnesses don't show up, that's it. If they are currently in office, they must appear, but if they move to another position, they can make excuses not to appear."
However, the Presidential Office denied claims that the personnel actions against these individuals are related to Corporal Chae's case, stating, "The comprehensive plan, including the Chae Soo-geun issue, has been prepared and planned well in advance, at least more than six months ago, much earlier than the recent incidents."
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