Former Marine Corps Investigation Unit Chief's 'Mutiny Case' to Be Addressed at Investigation Review Committee

Ministry of National Defense, "Minister Orders Convening of Military Prosecutor Investigation Deliberation Committee by Authority"

The Ministry of National Defense has decided to address the 'insubordination incident' involving former Marine Corps Investigation Unit Commander Colonel Park Jeong-hoon, who handed over the investigation results of the late Corporal Chae's death case to the police despite orders to withhold them, at the Military Prosecutor Investigation Review Committee.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 16th, the Ministry of National Defense sent a text message to the press corps stating, "Considering the public interest in this matter, the Minister of National Defense has ordered the formation and convening of the Military Prosecutor Investigation Review Committee ex officio." It added, "The Ministry plans to operate the committee to ensure its independence and fairness by appointing members recommended by national institutions such as the National Human Rights Commission, the Judicial Research and Training Institute, the Prosecutor's Office, and the National Police Agency."

Colonel Park’s lawyer, Kim Kyung-ho, sent an application for convening the Investigation Review Committee to the Ministry of National Defense by registered mail on the 14th. The Investigation Review Committee was established to enhance fairness in handling cases that raise public suspicion or attract social attention, such as the death of Air Force Sergeant Lee Yeram. The committee consists of 5 to 20 members and reviews whether to continue investigations, file charges, or request arrest warrants. The committee members appointed during the Lee Yeram case have completed their two-year terms and must be reappointed.

However, since the Ministry of National Defense inevitably intervenes in the selection process of committee members, some voices have raised doubts about whether the process will be conducted fairly. In particular, it is reported that Yoo Jae-eun, the Ministry of National Defense’s Legal Affairs Officer and one of the parties involved in this case, is handling the related procedures.

Colonel Park’s side claims that the Legal Affairs Officer called on August 1st and said, "Remove the charges, remove the suspects and the allegations." The Ministry of National Defense denies this. In response, Colonel Park’s side has filed a motion for disqualification with the Ministry’s prosecution team to prevent the Legal Affairs Officer from performing related duties.

However, a military official stated, "The motion for disqualification applies to 'committee members,' and there is no disqualification procedure for the Ministry of National Defense’s Legal Affairs Officer."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Defense prosecution team initially charged Colonel Park with 'leader of collective insubordination' but later changed it to 'insubordination.' Under the Military Penal Code, the sentence for 'leader of collective insubordination' is three years or more, while 'insubordination' carries a sentence of three years or less.

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