Chae Case Special Prosecutor to Summon 'VIP Rage' Meeting Attendees This Week... "Yoon Also a Key Suspect"

Wang Yoonjong and Lee Chungmyun, Former National Security Office Secretaries, Summoned for Questioning
Investigating Yoon's Rage and Directives at the Meeting
"Coordinating Additional Questioning of Kim Gyehwan This Week"

The special prosecutor team led by Myunghyun Lee, investigating allegations of external pressure in the case of Marine Corps Sergeant Chae's death, announced on July 14 that they plan to question Wang Yoonjong, former third deputy director of the National Security Office, and Lee Chungmyun, former presidential secretary for foreign affairs, within this week. Both had attended the so-called 'VIP Rage' meeting presided over by former President Yoon Sukyeol. The team also stated, "Former President Yoon is an important suspect who must be summoned," adding, "If he refuses to comply, we can employ various measures."

Special Prosecutor Myunghyun Lee and Deputy Special Prosecutor Sangbyung Chae are moving to the event hall to hold a plaque ceremony at the special prosecutor's office set up in Seocho-gu, Seoul on July 2, 2025. Photo by Dongjoo Yoon

Deputy Special Prosecutor Minyoung Jeong said at a briefing that day, "On July 11, the special prosecutor questioned Taehyo Kim, former first deputy director of the National Security Office, as a suspect regarding the chief secretaries' meeting held on July 31, 2023. This week, we plan to continue investigating those who attended the meeting at that time."

Deputy Special Prosecutor Jeong added, "Based on the testimony of former Deputy Director Kim, we will investigate how the report was delivered at the time and what instructions former President Yoon Sukyeol gave in response."

First, the special prosecutor team plans to summon former presidential secretary for foreign affairs Lee Chungmyun as a reference witness for questioning on the afternoon of July 14. The investigation of former Deputy Director Wang Yoonjong is also scheduled to take place within this week.

The so-called 'VIP Rage' allegation centers on suspicions that former President Yoon Sukyeol, after receiving a report on the investigation results of Sergeant Chae's case at a presidential office meeting at 11 a.m. on July 31, 2023, became 'enraged,' reprimanded then-Minister of National Defense Lee Jongseop by phone, ordered a suspension of the case transfer to the police, and directed a change in the outcome.

During the special prosecutor's investigation on July 11, former Deputy Director Taehyo Kim reportedly testified that "former President Yoon received a one-page report on Sergeant Chae's death from former presidential military secretary Im Kihun, and immediately raised his voice and became angry."

Deputy Special Prosecutor Minyoung Jeong emphasized that former President Yoon Sukyeol, who is at the center of the external pressure allegations, is "a suspect who must be summoned and questioned," adding, "If he does not comply with the investigation, we will have no choice but to consider various options."

The special prosecutor's office stated that since July 10, they have conducted searches and seizures at more than 20 locations, including the Ministry of National Defense, the National Security Office, and the residence of former President Yoon. They have secured over 30 mobile phones and more than 10 hard disks as evidence.