"Written Report on Extension to Be Submitted to President and National Assembly Next Week"
Special Prosecutor for Corporal Chae's Case May Extend Investigation Twice, 30 Days Each
Suspect Interrogation of Donghyuk Kim, Head of Ministry of National Defense Prosecutor's Office, Scheduled for the 22nd
The special prosecutor team led by Myunghyun Lee, which is investigating allegations of external pressure in the death of Marine Corps Corporal Chae, has decided to extend its investigation period once, until September 29.
Myunghyun Lee and Sangbyung Chae, the special prosecutor and deputy special prosecutor, are taking a commemorative photo after the plaque ceremony at the special prosecutor's office set up in Seocho-gu, Seoul on July 2, 2025. Photo by Dongjoo Yoon
On the 21st, Deputy Special Prosecutor Minyoung Jung announced at a regular briefing, "In accordance with Article 9, Paragraph 3 of the Special Prosecutor Act, we have decided to extend the investigation period by 30 days," adding, "Next week, we plan to submit a written report to President Jaemyung Lee and the National Assembly explaining the reasons for the extension."
The special prosecutor team, which began its investigation on July 2, was originally scheduled to conclude by the 30th of this month. With this extension, the investigation can continue until September 29.
The Special Prosecutor Act for Corporal Chae's case stipulates that the investigation must be completed and a decision on prosecution made within 60 days from the day after the investigation preparation period ends. However, if the investigation cannot be completed or a decision on prosecution is difficult to make, the period may be extended twice, each time by 30 days.
Deputy Special Prosecutor Jung explained, "There are so many people the special prosecutor team needs to question that we are conducting the investigation without any days off, but the schedule is clearly tight," and added, "There is still a significant amount of evidence that needs to be analyzed and additional investigation required, and many witnesses and suspects remain to be questioned."
Meanwhile, starting at 10 a.m. today, the special prosecutor team is conducting a third suspect interrogation of Jaeun Yoo, the former director of legal affairs at the Ministry of National Defense, who is under suspicion of abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights. In the afternoon, Kwanhyung Lee, who reported suspicions of lobbying to save former 1st Marine Division Commander Seongkeun Lim to the Democratic Party of Korea, will be questioned as a witness.
The special prosecutor team also plans to conduct a seventh suspect interrogation of Donghyuk Kim, head of the Ministry of National Defense Prosecutor's Office (Army Brigadier General, currently suspended from duty), who is under suspicion of abuse of authority, at 1:30 p.m. on the 22nd.
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