Full-scale Investigation into Corporal Chae's Death and Alleged Illegal Rescue Lobbying
Lim Sungkeun Expected to Appear for Questioning
The special prosecutor's team investigating the death of Corporal Chae will summon Lim Sungkeun, former commander of the 1st Marine Division, for the first time on July 2. From the very first day of the investigation, the team plans to call in Lim, the key suspect, and begin questioning him immediately.
According to the legal community on June 30, the special prosecutor's team led by Lee Myunghyun notified Lim to appear at the special prosecutor's office on July 2. Lim also told the media on the same day, "I received a request from an investigator with the special prosecutor's team to appear at the office on July 2," and stated that he would comply with the summons and appear on that date.
This date marks the official launch of the special prosecutor's investigation into the death of Corporal Chae. Summoning Lim, the key suspect, on the very first day is seen as a demonstration of the team's determination to clarify the facts of the case without delay.
The special prosecutor reportedly plans to question Lim about charges of occupational negligence resulting in death in connection with the Chae case, as well as allegations of "illegal lobbying for rescue" through external pressure on the investigation.
Lim was the commanding officer of Chae, who died in the line of duty on July 19, 2023, during flood recovery operations in Yecheon County, North Gyeongsang Province. Corporal Chae died while searching for a missing person in a river without any safety equipment. Lim has been under investigation on charges including occupational negligence resulting in death, as he allegedly ordered Chae's unit to conduct a dangerous search operation.
Lim was initially named as a suspect in the Marine Corps' preliminary investigation, but was later excluded following controversy over external pressure on the investigation. He is also at the center of allegations of "illegal lobbying for rescue" involving Kim Keonhee, wife of former President Yoon Sukyeol, as an intermediary.
The core of the allegation is that Lee Jongho, former CEO of Black Pearl Invest and an acquaintance of Kim Keonhee, told people around him, "I will speak to the VIP," and tried to dissuade Lim from resigning. As a result, Lim was allegedly removed from the list of suspects.
The special prosecutor is investigating the cause and responsibility for the death of Corporal Chae, as well as allegations of external pressure from the presidential office and other authorities. The team has recently been sequentially receiving all investigation records related to Lim from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials and the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office, among others.
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