Intensifying Dispute Over Truth of Chaesangbyeong Death Case... Opposition Demands Special Investigation

Gidongmin "Doubtful Police Investigation Willingness... Special Prosecutor Inevitable"
Kim Byungju "'Mutiny' Investigation Requires Special Prosecutor"

Amid intense truth disputes between the ruling and opposition parties surrounding the death of the late Corporal Chae Su-geun of the Marine Corps, the opposition party has called for a special investigation.

Earlier, the opposition raised suspicions that higher-ups intervened during the process of transferring the investigation report on Corporal Chae's case from the police back to the Ministry of National Defense. Initially, Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop approved the Marine Corps investigation team's report on the 30th of last month, which referred eight individuals, including Marine Corps 1st Division Commander Lim Seong-geun, to the police on charges of professional negligence resulting in death. However, he suddenly ordered a hold on the referral, and it is alleged that pressure from higher authorities, including the Presidential Office, influenced this decision.

The burial ceremony of the late Corporal Chae Su-geun is being held on the afternoon of the 22nd at the National Daejeon National Cemetery. Photo by Yonhap News

Ki Dong-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, argued that a special investigation is inevitable. On the 22nd, on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' Ki said, "At least the primary investigative agency has secured clear evidence and investigation materials amounting to about 1,000 pages, and statements from around 90 witnesses have been extensively recorded and preserved." He added, "There is a very high possibility that other truths could emerge through trial results, investigation processes, and the investigation review committee."

He continued, "Considering this, to dispel such public suspicions, a fair and rigorous investigation by an impartial third-party investigative agency is unavoidable."

Ki also questioned the police investigation. He said, "Looking at the entire process so far, especially the referral process of this case, the subsequent return of materials, and the practice of investigating based on mere speculative media reports, all have been completely ignored." He pointed out, "More than a month has passed since Corporal Chae's death, and although the Ministry of National Defense's investigation headquarters released a re-examination result yesterday, the police have never once expressed a proactive intention to investigate, citing that the case has not yet been transferred."

He added, "Given these circumstances, can the truth hidden by the current investigative agencies and the concealed justice be thoroughly uncovered before the public? Suspecting this is a fundamental duty of a healthy opposition party."

Kim Byung-joo, also from the Democratic Party, emphasized the necessity of a special investigation. On the same day, on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs,' Kim said, "The police are only investigating the Corporal Chae Su-geun case and cannot investigate the insubordination and other matters, so we must go to a special investigation." He stressed, "The minister and vice minister give conflicting statements and confusing explanations, which makes me feel even more strongly that a special investigation is absolutely necessary."

Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop is reporting on current issues at the National Defense Committee plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 21st. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

However, the People Power Party dismissed the opposition's call for a special investigation, stating that this case concerns 'Colonel Park Jeong-hoon's insubordination incident.' On the 21st, Jeon Ju-hye, a member of the People Power Party, said at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee plenary session, "The Democratic Party wants a special investigation, but this is not a matter for a special investigation at all." She added, "The Ministry of National Defense's investigation and referral are merely basic data. It is up to the police and prosecution to decide who is charged and prosecuted, and even if the investigation team suspects someone, it holds no legal value."

Meanwhile, Minister Lee appeared at the National Defense Committee plenary session on the 21st and explained regarding the reversal of the referral approval, "I approved the report considering it was an investigation at the Marine Corps investigation team level on that day, but the next day, after reviewing opinions raised during the briefing, I judged it necessary to reconsider and instructed the cancellation of the National Assembly and media explanations and the hold on the police referral."

Minister Lee emphasized, "This instruction was clearly communicated through the Marine Corps Commander and Deputy Commander," and added, "The Marine Corps investigation team leader's actions constitute a 'serious military discipline violation' by disobeying the legitimate orders of the Marine Corps Commander, weakening military command authority and disrupting discipline."

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