Former Air Force Chief Lee Sung-yong Appears Before Late Lee Ye-ram Special Investigation Team... Jeon Ik-soo to Be Summoned Tomorrow

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] On the 23rd, the special investigation team led by Special Prosecutor Ahn Mi-young (56, 25th Judicial Research and Training Institute), investigating the death case of the late Air Force Sergeant Lee Ye-ram, summoned former Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Seong-yong (58, retired Air Force General), who was the highest Air Force official at the time of the incident, as a witness.

Former Chief Lee appeared at the special prosecutor's office in Migeun-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, at around 10:20 a.m. that day. When asked by reporters, he said, "I have no time, so I will go in," and headed to the interrogation room. This is the first time the special investigation team has directly questioned the Air Force leadership, with former Chief Lee being the initial subject.

Former Chief Lee is a 'controversial figure' for reporting late to former Minister of National Defense Seo Wook regarding Sergeant Lee's sexual harassment case. Although he was aware of Sergeant Lee's sexual harassment complaint, he delayed reporting to former Minister Seo by about 40 days, by which time Sergeant Lee had already passed away. During the military prosecution investigation, there are also suspicions that despite receiving orders to consider detaining the perpetrator, Sergeant Jang Mo, he ignored this within the Air Force legal command.

The special investigation team plans to summon Air Force Headquarters Legal Office Chief Jeon Ik-su (52, Brigadier General) as a suspect for questioning at 2 p.m. on the 24th.

Jeon has been identified by the bereaved family and others as responsible for the 'inadequate initial investigation' and has been registered with the special prosecutor's office on charges of abuse of authority and neglect of duty. In June, the special investigation team conducted searches of the Air Force Headquarters and Air Force Investigation Unit, securing Jeon's mobile phone, communication records, and emails, and has since been selectively reviewing case-related materials by summoning Jeon and others.

The successive summons of Air Force leadership is expected to be a turning point in the special investigation team's inquiry. The team must complete the investigation by the 12th of next month. Based on the contents of these summons interrogations, it is anticipated that the remaining approximately 20 days will focus intensively on allegations of investigation cover-up and inadequate initial investigation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.