The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), which is investigating allegations of external pressure in the death of Marine Corps Corporal Chae involving former President Yoon Suk-yeol, has launched a compulsory investigation into the presidential office. The search and seizure warrant issued by the CIO specifically names former President Yoon as a suspect.
On the morning of May 7, the CIO’s Third Investigation Division (headed by Chief Prosecutor Lee Daehwan) attempted to conduct a search and seizure of the National Security Office and the Presidential Secretariat in connection with the "external pressure on the investigation into the death of the Marine" case.
It has been reported that CIO prosecutors and investigators are attempting to contact responsible officials at the Civil Complaints Building in order to gain entry to the Yongsan presidential office.
The CIO reportedly plans to secure meeting materials and entry records from the presidential office around July 31, 2023, when the so-called "VIP rage theory" was raised. It is reported that the initial investigation results from the Marine Corps Investigation Unit were presented at the meeting held at that time.
This is the first time the CIO has launched a compulsory investigation into the presidential office in connection with the investigation into Corporal Chae’s case. The search and seizure warrant issued by the CIO specifies former President Yoon as a suspect on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of the exercise of rights.
The CIO is investigating allegations that, during the process in July 2023 when the Marine Corps Investigation Unit identified former Division Commander Im and others as responsible for Corporal Chae’s death and referred them to the police, former President Yoon, officials from the presidential office, and the Ministry of National Defense exerted external pressure.
Until the end of November last year, the CIO continued its investigation by questioning officials from the Ministry of National Defense as reference witnesses, but then temporarily suspended the investigation to focus on the insurrection investigation following the declaration of martial law. The CIO recently resumed the investigation. On May 9, the CIO plans to conduct another forensic analysis of former Division Commander Im’s mobile phone, following a previous analysis conducted on April 30.
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