Investigation of Defense Ministry Spokesperson Jeon Hakyu Over 'Lee Jongseop's Orders'
Classified Phones of Yoon Sukyeol, Lee Jongseop, and Cho Taeyong Secured
Probe Accelerates Into 'Case Record Retrieval' Involvement and Lobbying Efforts
The special investigation team, which has obtained the classified phone communication records of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, former Defense Minister Lee Jongseop, and former National Security Advisor Cho Taeyong, plans to accelerate its investigation. Based on these records, the team aims to determine whether former President Yoon was involved in the retrieval of records related to Sergeant Chae's case, and whether both Yoon and his wife were involved in lobbying efforts to save former Division Commander Lim Seonggeun.
At a regular briefing on the same day, Special Prosecutor Jeong Minyoung stated, "The special investigation team recently received and is analyzing the classified phone call records of former President Yoon, former Minister Lee, and former National Security Advisor Cho Taeyong from the Presidential Security Service."
The classified phone records secured by the team cover the period around July to August 2023, when allegations of external pressure on the investigation into Sergeant Chae's death first emerged. The team is expected to use these records to determine whether former President Yoon was involved in retrieving the case records, and whether he was involved in efforts to exclude former Division Commander Lim from the list of suspects during the reinvestigation process. Additionally, the team has secured the physical classified phone used by Kim Keonhee, the former first lady, and is analyzing it. However, since the device was found in a reset state, it remains uncertain whether the team will be able to recover the call history from that period. The team suspects that both Kim Keonhee and members of the Protestant community conducted a "two-track" lobbying effort to save former Division Commander Lim.
From 10 a.m. on the same day, the special investigation team has been questioning Jeon Hakyu, the Ministry of National Defense spokesperson, as a reference witness. The team is reportedly trying to confirm whether the external pressure on the investigation, triggered by former President Yoon's rage, led to orders for "retrieving case records and reducing the number of suspects." Jeon attended the meeting on July 30, 2023, where former Minister Lee received the investigation results from the Marine Corps Investigation Unit, and also participated in the emergency policy discussion presided over by Lee the following day, immediately after the order to withhold the case transfer.
Special Prosecutor Jeong stated, "Spokesperson Jeon has held his position at the Ministry of National Defense from the time of Sergeant Chae's death until recently," adding, "Given his role in officially formulating and expressing the ministry's position, the instructions he received from former Minister Lee and the matters discussed in various meetings are likely to be crucial in uncovering the truth of this case."
Within a month of launching the investigation, the special team has effectively confirmed the substance of the "VIP Rage Theory," which has been a matter of public interest. The team has obtained statements from five out of the seven participants (excluding former President Yoon and former Defense Minister Kim Yonghyun) at the July 31, 2023, senior secretary meeting?namely, Kim Taehyo (former first deputy director of the National Security Office), Lee Chungmyeon (former diplomatic secretary), Wang Yoonjong (former economic security secretary), Cho Taeyong (former National Security Advisor), and Lim Gihun (former National Security Office defense secretary)?all indicating that "former President Yoon became enraged after receiving the initial investigation report on Sergeant Chae's case." Accordingly, the team plans to focus on verifying the substance of the VIP Rage Theory during its investigation of former Minister Kim on August 6.
Furthermore, the team conducted searches and seizures the previous day targeting former Justice Minister Park Sungjae, former Prosecutor General Shim Woojeong, former Vice Minister of Justice Lee Nogong, former Director of Immigration Policy Lee Jaeyu, former Foreign Minister Cho Taeyeol, and former National Security Advisor Jang Hojin. This was in connection with suspicions that former President Yoon attempted to obstruct the investigation by appointing and sending former Minister Lee, who had been booked by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) due to Sergeant Chae's death, as ambassador to Australia. The team believes that Park and others colluded with former President Yoon to effectively help Lee escape overseas.
In March of last year, despite being under a travel ban, former Minister Lee was appointed ambassador to Australia by former President Yoon. Lee underwent only a brief investigation before departing for Australia, but returned temporarily after public opinion worsened ahead of the general election and resigned just 25 days after his appointment.
Meanwhile, as the special investigation team on Sergeant Chae, which had received relatively less attention compared to the special investigations into insurrection and Kim Keonhee, expands its investigation based on statements obtained from those involved, it is drawing closer to uncovering the truth. As the team's efforts gain momentum, concerns about a lack of investigative power are being dispelled. However, some voices have raised concerns that the team's investigative methods are somewhat rough. A lawyer who previously served as deputy chief prosecutor commented, "Unlike the police and prosecution, the special investigation team?composed mainly of personnel from the military and CIO?seems to conduct investigations in a somewhat blunt and rough manner," adding, "When expanding the investigation, it is important to proceed with caution."
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