Im Seonggeun Detained in 'Private Chae Death' Case... Arrest Warrants Denied for Six, Including Lee Jongseop, Over 'Investigation Interference'

Im Seonggeun Detained: First Arrest by Special Investigation Team
Arrest Warrants Denied for Six Key Suspects
Setbacks Expected in Future Investigation of Yoon and Others

Im Seonggeun, the former commander of the 1st Marine Division who has been identified as responsible for the death of Private Chae, was taken into custody on the 24th. This marks the first suspect detention by the special investigation team led by Lee Myeonghyeon, which was formed in July. However, as arrest warrants for all six key suspects, including former Minister of National Defense Lee Jongseop, were denied, it is now inevitable that the investigation into former President Yoon Sukyeol and others will face setbacks.

Im Seonggeun, former commander of the 1st Marine Division, appeared on August 11 at the office of Lee Myeonghyeon, the special investigator for the fallen marine, in Seocho-gu, Seoul, to undergo questioning and stated his position. 2025.08.11 Photo by Yoon Dongju

On the previous day, Lee Jeongjae, the judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, conducted a substantive warrant review for the former division commander and issued the arrest warrant requested by the special investigation team, citing "concerns about the destruction of evidence."

Regarding Choi Jingyu, the former commander of the 11th Marine Artillery Battalion, for whom an arrest warrant was also requested, the judge dismissed the warrant, stating, "Considering the current status of the investigation and other circumstances, it is difficult to recognize the necessity or justification for detaining the suspect at this stage."

Earlier, on the 21st, the special investigation team had requested arrest warrants for both the former division commander and the former battalion commander on charges of occupational negligence resulting in death. The former division commander was also charged with violating military law by disobeying orders.

Im Seonggeun was the superior officer of Private Chae, who died during flood rescue operations in Yecheon-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, on July 19, 2023. He faces charges 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 a suspect in the Marine Corps investigation, but after the so-called "VIP outrage," he was removed from the list of suspects. There are also suspicions of lobbying for his exoneration, with allegations that Kim Keonhee, the wife of former President Yoon Sukyeol, may have exerted influence during this process. On the other hand, Im's legal team has denied the charges, arguing that he did not have operational control and therefore was not responsible for ensuring safety.

However, arrest warrants for five individuals, including former Minister of National Defense Lee Jongseop, former military advisor Park Jinhee, former chief prosecutor Kim Donghyeok, former legal affairs director Yoo Jaeun, and former Marine Corps Commandant Kim Gyehwan, were all denied. Judge Jeong Jaewook, who oversees warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, explained, "While the basic facts have been somewhat substantiated, there is room for legal dispute regarding the main charges. It seems appropriate to determine the existence and extent of responsibility through sufficient argument and examination during the trial process."

Former Defense Minister Lee Jongseop is entering the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu on the 23rd for a pretrial detention hearing. 2023.10.23 Photo by Yoon Dongju

Previously, on the 20th, the special investigation team led by Lee Myeonghyeon had requested an arrest warrant for former Minister Lee Jongseop on six charges, including interfering with the transfer of the Marine Corps investigation results to the police while overseeing national defense operations at the time of Private Chae's death.

The special investigation team believes that former Minister Lee was involved in a series of actions, including the dismissal and disciplinary investigation of then-Marine Corps investigative chief Park Junghoon, the transfer of the case to the Ministry of National Defense's Investigation Headquarters, and pressure to downplay the findings of the Investigation Headquarters. According to the team, between July 31, 2023-when former President Yoon Sukyeol reportedly became enraged after receiving the initial investigation results-and August 2, when the Ministry of National Defense retrieved the case files from the police, former Minister Lee began issuing instructions to withhold and retrieve the case, thereby exerting undue influence over the entire process.

Park Jinhee and the others were involved in the transfer or retrieval of the case to and from the police, as well as the disciplinary investigation of Colonel Park Junghoon, in connection with suspicions of external interference in the investigation.

With only the detention of Im Seonggeun secured among the key suspects, there are concerns that the special investigation team will inevitably face obstacles in its investigation of former President Yoon Sukyeol, who is at the center of all suspicions. In particular, the team's failure to secure the detention of former Minister Lee Jongseop regarding the allegations of external interference makes it difficult to avoid criticism of the investigation's effectiveness.

Former President Yoon Sukyeol refused to comply with the special investigation team's request to appear for questioning as a suspect the previous day, citing his attorney's trial schedule. The special investigation team plans to summon him again soon, but given the denial of arrest warrants for former Minister Lee and others, it is highly likely that he will not comply.