On July 10, the special prosecutor team led by Lee Myeonghyeon, which is investigating allegations of external pressure in the death of Marine Corps member Chae Sangbyeong, reportedly conducted a search and seizure at the residence of Lee Jongho, former CEO of Black Pearl Investment.
Special Prosecutor Chaesangbyeong conducts search and seizure at Ministry of National Defense spokesperson office. Yonhap News
According to the legal community on July 10, the special prosecutor's team dispatched prosecutors and investigators to Lee's residence in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, to carry out the search and seizure. Lee, a close associate of First Lady Kim Keonhee, is known to be implicated in lobbying efforts to save former Marine Corps 1st Division Commander Lim Seonggeun, and is also identified as an accomplice in the 'Deutsche Motors stock manipulation' case.
On July 5, the special prosecutor's team interviewed Song Hojong, a former member of the Presidential Security Service, and a police officer identified as Choi, both of whom were members of the 'Meotjaenghaebyung' group chat, which has been identified as a channel for lobbying efforts. The chat room included five former Marines, including Lee, Song, and Choi. The suspicion arose after it became known that Lee mentioned former division commander Lim by name in the chat.
With the special prosecutor's team conducting a search and seizure targeting Lee on this day, there is a possibility that a full-scale compulsory investigation into those involved in the lobbying allegations may begin.
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