Park Jeonghun, Former Marine Corps Investigation Unit Chief, Appears at the Corruption Investigation Office for Witness Inquiry

Former Marine Corps Investigation Unit Commander Park Jeong-hoon (Colonel), who claimed to have faced external pressure while investigating the case of Marine Corporal Chae who died during flood recovery efforts last month and filed a complaint against the head of the Ministry of National Defense prosecution team, appeared at the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Division (HSCI).

Former Marine Corps Investigation Unit Commander Park Jeong-hoon, who was booked on charges of insubordination and defamation, is appearing at the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (Gongsucheo) in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, on the 8th for questioning as a witness.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The HSCI Special Investigation Headquarters (Chief Prosecutor Lee Dae-hwan) summoned former Commander Park on the afternoon of the 8th as a witness to verify the specific details of the complaint and the communication process with the Ministry of National Defense leadership.

Park’s legal representative, Attorney Kim Jeong-min, said, "We hope the investigation proceeds actively and appropriately to uncover the essence of the case."

Regarding the disclosure of evidence such as audio recordings proving the external pressure from higher-ups, he stated, "We will disclose what needs to be disclosed through internal consultation," adding, "Isn't the substance of the external pressure already somewhat revealed through objective evidence?"

In response to Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop’s remarks at the National Assembly denying that he gave instructions such as ‘add this phrase, remove that person’ in the report, Park’s side described it as "a typical example of unlawful interference in the investigation."

Former Commander Park filed a complaint with the HSCI on the 23rd of last month against Ministry of National Defense prosecution team leader Kim Dong-hyeok and Legal Affairs Officer Yoo Jae-eun on charges of abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights.