Silent in Response to 'VIP Rage Theory' Questions
Questioned as a Suspect on Charges of Abuse of Authority
The special prosecutor team led by Lee Myunghyun, which is investigating suspicions related to the death of Marine Corps Corporal Chae, summoned former Marine Corps Commandant Kim Kyehwan on the 7th to launch a full-scale investigation into the so-called 'VIP rage theory,' which is at the core of the alleged external pressure on the investigation.
Kim Kyehwan, former Marine Corps Commandant, is appearing at the special investigation office for fallen marines set up in Seocho Hansem Building, Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 7th. Photo by Jo Yongjun
Kim, the former commandant, appeared at the special prosecutor's office in Hansem Building, Seocho-gu, Seoul at around 10:20 a.m. that day. Appearing as a civilian, Kim wore a suit rather than a military uniform. On his way in, Kim did not respond to reporters' questions such as whether he maintains that he never informed Colonel Park Junghoon of former President Yoon Sukyeol's rage, whether he was explicitly instructed by former Defense Minister Lee Jongseop to withhold the case transfer, or whether he explicitly ordered the investigation team to delay the transfer.
Special Prosecutor Jeong Minyoung stated at a regular briefing that morning, "We plan to focus our investigation on what instructions Kim received from the Presidential Office and former Minister Lee regarding the alleged external pressure from the Presidential Office," adding, "We also intend to verify necessary details related to the charges of occupational negligence causing death against former 1st Marine Division Commander Lim Sungkeun, allegations of false reporting, and lobbying for a pardon."
He further explained, "Since Kim is a key figure in the main targets of the special investigation, such as the Presidential Office's alleged interference and the VIP rage theory, there are expected to be a considerable number of issues to investigate," and added, "In the morning, Prosecutor Lim Sangkyu will question Kim as a witness regarding the occupational negligence causing death charge against former Division Commander Lim, and in the afternoon, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee Jungmin will question Kim as a suspect regarding the abuse of authority charge."
The 'VIP rage theory' refers to allegations that former President Yoon Sukyeol became enraged during a Presidential Office meeting on July 31, 2023, after receiving the Marine Corps investigation team's initial findings on the death of Corporal Chae, saying, "If a division commander is punished for something like this, who would want to be a division commander in Korea?" Subsequently, it is suspected that former Minister Lee Jongseop abruptly ordered a media briefing and the suspension of the case transfer to the police. Kim Kyehwan was the first to relay the VIP rage theory to Park Junghoon, the former head of the Marine Corps investigation team (Colonel), who led the initial investigation into Corporal Chae's case. Park testified that he was told by Kim that "the President received a report on the 1st Division death incident from the Defense Secretary during a meeting" and that "the President was enraged, saying, 'If someone is punished for something like this, who would want to be a division commander in Korea?'."
However, Kim has consistently denied in court and at the National Assembly that he ever made such statements. Nevertheless, since Kim retired in December last year and is now a civilian, there is speculation that he may provide different testimony during the special prosecutor's investigation.
Starting with Kim's questioning, the special prosecutor team plans to summon, in sequence, those who attended the Presidential Office meeting on the morning of July 31, 2023, when the alleged external pressure on the investigation began.
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