PCC “Im Seong-geun, Former Division Commander, Will Be Summoned for Investigation If Necessary”

"Abuse of Authority and Lobbying for Exoneration Are Not Separate Cases"

The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Division (HCOCID), which is investigating allegations of external pressure in the case of Marine Corps soldier Chae Sang-byeong's death in the line of duty, stated that if necessary, they will summon former Marine Corps 1st Division Commander Lim Seong-geun for questioning regarding the alleged 'rescue lobbying.'

At a regular briefing on the morning of the 23rd, an HCOCID official responded to a question about whether former Division Commander Lim would be summoned as a witness in the ongoing investigation into the rescue lobbying allegations by saying, "If it is deemed necessary for the investigation, he will be summoned."

Signboard of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) at the Gwacheon Government Complex

The HCOCID is examining allegations of abuse of authority by those involved in the external pressure allegations related to the Marine Corps soldier's death case, along with the rescue lobbying allegations involving former Marine Corps 1st Division Commander Lim Seong-geun. Previously, a recording was released in which Lee Jong-ho, former CEO of Black Pearl Investment and accomplice in the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case, mentioned his connection with First Lady Kim Keon-hee, raising suspicions that he conducted rescue lobbying for the former division commander.

The HCOCID official also stated, "The abuse of authority and the so-called rescue lobbying allegations are not separate matters," adding, "Rather than prioritizing which to investigate first or later, procedures such as summoning related to the abuse of authority investigation and analyzing materials are being carried out." He further said, "The rescue lobbying allegation has been named, and attention should be paid to the individuals involved within that."

Regarding whether lawyer Kim Gyu-hyun, who revealed the rescue lobbying allegations, is a 'whistleblower,' the official said, "He is a whistleblower under the law," and added, "When a public interest report is filed, the person automatically gains whistleblower status under the law." Concerning the expiration of the communication records of those involved in the external pressure allegations related to Chae Sang-byeong's death case at the end of this month, the official explained, "To conclude, there is no significant hindrance to the investigation."