Search and Seizure Conducted at Over Ten Locations
Targets Include Lim Sungkeun and His Spouse, Lee Cheolgyu, and Far East Broadcasting Company
On July 18, the special prosecutor team led by Lee Myunghyun, which is investigating allegations of external pressure in the death of Marine Corps Corporal Chae, announced, "We have confirmed indications that rescue lobbying efforts for former Marine 1st Division Commander Lim Sungkeun were connected through various channels, starting from Lim and those around him, to figures in the vicinity of former President Yoon Sukyeol or the presidential office."
Special Prosecutor Jung Minyoung stated at a regular briefing that day, "We are currently conducting searches and seizures of the residences and offices of former Division Commander Lim and People Power Party lawmaker Lee Cheolgyu, among others." He added, "We are also executing searches and seizures on individuals who communicated with these parties at key moments in the case and whose involvement needs to be verified."
Beginning in the morning, the special prosecutor's team has been executing search and seizure warrants at more than ten locations, including the home of former Division Commander Lim, the residence of his spouse, lawmaker Lee's home, his National Assembly office and local office, as well as Far East Broadcasting Company. These actions target those suspected of involvement in the rescue lobbying efforts.
Regarding the search of Lim's residence, Special Prosecutor Jung explained, "The cases under investigation include occupational negligence resulting in death and abuse of authority. How the rescue lobbying itself constitutes a crime will be determined later, but since it could be the motive for all these incidents, we are conducting the search and seizure from that perspective."
Concerning lawmaker Lee, Special Prosecutor Jung stated, "We have secured records of phone calls and messages exchanged during the 2023 Corporal Chae incident. We are conducting searches and seizures because we determined that certain aspects of those communications need to be verified." Lee is currently considered a reference witness. In the case of Far East Broadcasting Company, it has been reported that some staff members were found to have contacted the presidential office in connection with the rescue lobbying efforts.
Former Division Commander Lim was the commanding officer of Corporal Chae, who died in the line of duty during flood recovery operations in Yecheon County, North Gyeongsang Province, on July 19, 2023. Lim is suspected of occupational negligence resulting in death for allegedly ordering a risky search operation without providing life jackets or other safety equipment. He was initially named as a suspect in the Marine Corps investigative team's preliminary inquiry but was later excluded from the list of suspects after controversy arose over alleged external pressure on the investigation, known as the 'VIP rage' incident. There are also suspicions that rescue lobbying efforts were made, possibly involving the influence of former President Yoon Sukyeol's wife, Kim Keonhee.
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