"Support powerless mom"... Chaesangbyeon’s mother writes a letter to her son on his 'discharge day'

Chaesangbyeong, Would Have Been Discharged on the 26th
Chaesangbyeong's Mother: "My Dear Son, I Miss and Long for You"

On the 25th, a letter from the mother of the late Corporal Chae Su-geun was revealed. The photo shows the memorial incense altar for Corporal Chae's first anniversary, set up on July 18 at Cheonggye Plaza in Jung-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

It has been reported that Corporal Chae Su-geun, who died in the line of duty while searching for flood victims missing in Yecheon, Gyeongbuk last year, would have been discharged on the 26th if he had survived, sparking sorrow. Meanwhile, a letter from Corporal Chae's mother was revealed.

On the 25th, a letter titled "To my dear and missed son" from Corporal Chae's mother was posted on the website of the Bereaved Families Association of Fallen Republic of Korea Armed Forces Soldiers.

In the letter, the mother wrote, "My son, watching from the heavens. Tomorrow would have been your discharge day, but you have become a son who cannot return, and my heart aches," adding, "The reality that my son is not by our side, that there is no son in this world to call mom and dad, is so sad and heartbreaking." She continued, "Mom thinks hundreds of times a day about how happy and wonderful it would be if you were here," expressing, "It is so upsetting. I wish it were just a dream."

Corporal Chae's mother also expressed frustration over the current situation where no one is taking responsibility for the accident. She said, "A year has passed, but the reality that no one is held accountable is very upsetting. The objection I filed asking for the responsible party to be identified has gone unanswered, which is frustrating," and lamented, "I absolutely cannot forgive the commanders who were at the scene."

She added, "Please keep supporting me. I am a powerless mother with nothing to boast about, but I will surely reveal the truth about my son's sacrifice, and that is the only reason for me to live." Finally, Corporal Chae's mother concluded, "Like those who have devoted themselves to uncovering the truth over a long time, I will also try to stay strong. I hope you can freely pursue the dreams you couldn't fulfill in the heavens. I love you."

Corporal Chae was deployed without safety equipment such as a life jacket during the search operation for missing persons amid heavy rain in Yecheon, Gyeongbuk in July last year but was swept away by a rapid current and died. After an 11-month investigation into the death, the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency cleared Im Seong-geun, then commander of the Marine Corps 1st Division (on charges including abuse of authority and professional negligence causing death), and sent only six mid-level managers to the prosecution on charges of joint professional negligence causing death. The bereaved family, opposing the investigation results, submitted an objection. Separately from the death case, allegations of investigation interference in Corporal Chae's case are currently being investigated by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials.