Chae Sangbyeong Special Prosecutor's Team Visits Daejeon National Cemetery
"We Will Uncover the Truth at All Costs"
Joint Investigation with Kim Keonhee Special Prosecutor's Team into 'Lobbying Allegations'
Full-Scale Investigation Begins on July 2... Lim Seonggeun Summoned on First Day
On July 1, one day before the official start of its investigation, the special prosecutor's team for the Chae Sangbyeong case visited the grave of the late Corporal Chae Sugun and pledged, "We will uncover the truth so that Corporal Chae's death will not be in vain." The special prosecutor's team decided to take the lead in investigating the allegations of lobbying by Kim Keonhee for Lim Seonggeun, which is a matter of joint interest with the Kim Keonhee special prosecutor's team.
On this day, special prosecutor Lee Myunghyun visited the National Cemetery in Daejeon, where Corporal Chae is buried. After paying his respects, Lee wrote in the guestbook, "We will uncover the truth so that the tragic death of Marine Chae Sugun will not be in vain."
Lee stated, "Before launching the full-scale special investigation, I wanted to first visit Corporal Chae's grave to reaffirm my resolve, and I came here with the determination to uncover the truth at all costs." He added, "Next, since Division Commander Lim Seonggeun is the individual most closely connected to this tragic death, we have decided to summon and question him."
Regarding the allegations of lobbying for Lim Seonggeun, Lee explained, "The Kim Keonhee special prosecutor's team has 16 cases to investigate and is extremely busy. Since there is only partial overlap with our investigation, we will cooperate with the Kim Keonhee team, but we have decided that we will take the lead on this matter."
On the same day, special prosecutor Min also told reporters on his way to work, "Since there are overlapping aspects under the law, we have agreed to coordinate and consult with the Chae Sangbyeong special prosecutor's team going forward."
The allegations of lobbying for Lim Seonggeun stem from suspicions that, during the investigation into the death of Marine Corporal Chae in July 2023, Kim Keonhee, the wife of former President Yoon Sukyeol, used her influence to prevent then-1st Marine Division Commander Lim Seonggeun from being punished.
Lim, who was Corporal Chae's unit commander, was initially identified as a suspect for occupational negligence resulting in death in the preliminary investigation led by Colonel Park Junghoon and the Marine Corps investigation team. However, after then-Minister of National Defense Lee Jongseop reversed his approval, Lim was excluded as a suspect in the subsequent reinvestigation. The core of the allegations is that Lee Jongho, former CEO of Black Pearl Invest and an acquaintance of Kim Keonhee, said, "I will speak to the VIP," and persuaded Lim not to resign, which ultimately led to Lim being excluded as a suspect.
These allegations are related to both Kim Keonhee and suspicions of external pressure on the investigation into the Chae Sangbyeong case, making them the subject of simultaneous investigations by both special prosecutor teams.
The Chae Sangbyeong special prosecutor's team plans to summon and question former Division Commander Lim on July 2. By calling in Lim, the key suspect, on the very first day of the investigation, the team is signaling its determination to get to the bottom of the allegations immediately. The investigation is expected to cover both the charge of occupational negligence resulting in death and the allegations of lobbying by Kim Keonhee.
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