Special Prosecutor Bans Lee Jongseop, Kim Gyehwan, Lim Sungkeun, and Lee Jongho from Leaving the Country in Marine Death Case

The special prosecutor team led by Lee Myunghyun, investigating allegations of external pressure in the case of the death of Marine Chae, has imposed travel bans on key figures involved in the case, including former Defense Minister Lee Jongseop.

Special Prosecutor Minyoung Jung of the Fallen Marine Special Investigation Team briefing. Photo by Yonhap News.

At a briefing held at the special prosecutor's office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on July 3, Special Prosecutor Minyoung Jung stated, "Yesterday, travel bans were imposed on former 1st Marine Division Commander Lim Sungkeun, who was investigated as a suspect; former Minister Lee, who is explicitly named as a target of investigation under the special prosecutor law; and Lee Jongho, former CEO of Black Pearl Invest." He added, "A travel ban has also been imposed on former Commander Kim Gyehwan, another key figure in this case." Jung further noted, "In addition, travel bans have been imposed on other major subjects of the investigation."

Former Minister Lee, who was the Defense Minister at the time of Chae's death in July 2023, is a central figure in the investigation into the 'VIP rage theory' and allegations of external pressure on the investigation. This is because he reversed his approval of the initial Marine investigation team procedures and ordered a halt to the transfer immediately after a phone call with former President Yoon Sukyeol. Former CEO Lee, implicated in the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case, is suspected of lobbying for the rescue of former Division Commander Lim through First Lady Kim Keonhee. Former Marine Corps Commander Kim Gyehwan is suspected of exerting external pressure on Colonel Park Junghoon, who led the Marine investigation team.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that former Division Commander Lim, who was summoned for questioning the previous day, refused to answer most questions related to the charge of occupational negligence resulting in death. Lim is considered a key figure who appears in all major allegations, including the 'VIP rage theory' and the 'rescue lobbying theory.' On this day, Special Prosecutor Jung stated, "There were questions at first regarding occupational negligence resulting in death, but he refused to answer most of those." He added, "There were also questions regarding abuse of authority, false reporting, and rescue lobbying, to some of which he responded, while he refused to answer others." Regarding the mobile phone Lim submitted to the special prosecutor team the previous day, Jung said, "We plan to request the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to proceed with the forensic procedure."