Presumed Purpose: Securing Materials Related to the "VIP Rage Theory"
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), which is investigating allegations of external pressure in the case of the death of Marine Corps Corporal Chae involving former President Yoon Suk-yeol, has launched a compulsory investigation into the Presidential Archives.
On June 10, the CIO’s 4th Investigation Division, led by Chief Prosecutor Cha Jeonghyeon, sent prosecutors and investigators to the Presidential Archives under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety in Sejong City to conduct a search and seizure.
It is reported that the CIO plans to secure meeting materials and records of access to the presidential office from around July 31, 2023, when the so-called "VIP rage theory" was raised. During that time, it is known that the initial investigation results by the Marine Corps investigation team were reported at a meeting.
On June 4, the Presidential Archives announced that, in accordance with the Presidential Records Management Act, it had received approximately 13.65 million presidential records from the period of former President Yoon’s term and the subsequent acting presidency.
The CIO is investigating allegations that, in the process of the Marine Corps investigation team identifying former Marine Corps 1st Division Commander Lim Seonggeun and others as responsible for Corporal Chae’s death and referring the case to the police in July 2023, former President Yoon, presidential office officials, and Ministry of National Defense officials exerted external pressure.
Former Minister of National Defense Lee Jongseop approved the Marine Corps investigation team’s findings but reversed his decision the following day. The core of the "VIP rage theory" is that former President Yoon, after being briefed on the investigation results at a presidential office meeting, became enraged and reprimanded former Minister Lee.
It is known that on July 31, 2023, at 11:54 a.m., former Minister Lee received a phone call lasting 2 minutes and 48 seconds from the number "02-800-7070," registered under the Presidential Security Service. Immediately afterward, he reportedly instructed a suspension of the referral of the Marine Corps investigation results to the police and the cancellation of a press briefing.
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