South Korea Probes Marine Death Investigation Interference

South Korea’s special counsel team has intensified its investigation into claims that top officials, including those in the presidential office, interfered in an earlier probe into a Marine’s death in 2023.

The case involves Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who died while searching for flood victims in July 2023. Reports said he was not given safety gear like a life jacket.

The investigation is checking if officials under then-President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has now been ousted, tried to influence the original probe. Last week, a Marine investigator who led the first investigation was cleared of insubordination charges and got his job back.

On Wednesday, Col. Park Jung-hun, who led the probe and was dismissed in August 2023 but reinstated last week, appeared for questioning at Special Prosecutor Lee Myeong-hyeon’s office.

Speaking to reporters, Park said those who interfered must be “held accountable.”

The special counsel is also examining claims that President Yoon was furious at a meeting of senior aides on July 31, 2023. He was reportedly angry after learning the probe blamed a senior Marine commander for Chae’s death.

Last week, Kim Tae-hyo, former Principal Deputy National Security Adviser, confirmed that Yoon was indeed angry at that meeting.

Park said, “Now it’s proven this is a fact, not a rumour. The truth will come out. I believe the special counsel is uncovering many facts, and those responsible must be held accountable.”

Former presidential secretary Kang Eui-gu was also called in as a witness on Wednesday. He did not attend the July 31 meeting but spoke several times by phone that day with then-presidential defence secretary Lim Ki-hoon. Lim is suspected of telling Marine Corps Commandant Kim Kye-hwan about Yoon’s anger at the meeting.

The special counsel will continue questioning key officials to find out if there was any interference in the Marine death investigation.