Kim Woong: "Marines refuse to submit materials citing 'under investigation'... Still not in their right mind"

Assemblyman Yeo posts about flood disappearance case on Facebook
"Requested data related to Sergeant Chaesugeun but was refused"

Kim Woong, a member of the People Power Party, criticized the Marine Corps, saying "the Marine Corps still hasn't come to its senses," after his request for related materials regarding the accident in which the late Corporal Chae Soo-geun died in the line of duty during a flood missing persons search was rejected.

On the 26th, Kim stated on Facebook, "Upon hearing the news of Corporal Chae Soo-geun's death in the line of duty, I immediately requested the Marine Corps to submit materials, but yesterday the Marine Corps sent an official letter refusing to submit any materials, saying that most of them are under investigation and cannot be provided."

Kim Woong, member of the People Power Party. [Photo by Yonhap News]

The materials Kim requested from the Marine Corps included 'Marine Corps Civilian Support (Missing Persons Search) Manual,' 'Safety Equipment Issuance Records,' 'Missing Soldier Search Manual,' 'Orders from superiors during the missing persons search,' 'Reasons for not issuing life jackets to the fallen soldier,' and 'Correspondence between the Marine Corps and superiors after the soldier went missing.'

Kim said, "They claim there is no missing soldier search manual at all, and they refuse to provide the issuance records of safety equipment such as life jackets on the day of the operation. For the civilian support manual, they responded with a bizarre answer that it is 'being specified and supplemented,' instead of submitting it."

He also said, "'Whether the division commander prohibited wearing life jackets to make the Marine Corps emblem more visible' is being refused on the grounds that it is 'an ongoing investigation.'

Kim pointed out, "Revealing whether the division commander gave such an order to the public would not interfere with the investigation," and added, "If they are not trying to bury and cover up the incident, there is no reason not to submit the materials."

He continued, "The military is currently in charge of the investigation. How can we trust an investigation led by the Marine Corps and the military, who are hiding everything like this?" and criticized, "The Marine Corps is suffering not only from safety negligence but also from public insensitivity."

Corporal Chae died on the morning of the 19th in Yecheon, Gyeongbuk, swept away by a rapid current while searching for flood missing persons. It was revealed that Corporal Chae was deployed in the search operation without being provided with safety equipment such as a life jacket at the time.

In response, the Marine Corps stated, "There is no specific manual for civilian support types such as wearing life jackets during missing persons search operations in waterfront areas," and added, "We will work to supplement regulations and guidelines."

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