Former Marine Corps Investigation Unit Chief's Side, Ministry of National Defense Files Charges Against 1st Division Commander Excluding Allegations

Ministry of National Defense Investigation Headquarters Excludes 6 Including Marine 1st Division Commander
Investigation Team Leader's Lawyer: "Division Commander Reported for Negligent Homicide"
Minister and Chief of Naval Operations Also Suspected of Prearranging Follow-up Personnel Appointments

The Ministry of National Defense transferred the case of Marine Corps Corporal Chae, who died in the line of duty during the search for flood victims, to the police without specifying charges of negligent homicide against Marine Corps 1st Division Commander Im Seong-geun. Meanwhile, Park Jeong-hoon, the former head of the Marine Corps investigation unit (colonel) who was in charge of the investigation, has filed a complaint against Commander Im with the police. Colonel Park's side claims there was external pressure from the Ministry of National Defense to reduce the accused to below the battalion commander level.

Kim Kyung-ho, the legal representative for Colonel Park, announced on the 22nd that he had sent a complaint by mail to the Gyeongbuk Police Agency requesting that charges of negligent homicide and abuse of authority be applied to Commander Im Seong-geun. He explained, "The investigation unit chief judged the Marine 1st Division commander to be responsible for negligent homicide in the line of duty, but the Ministry of National Defense investigation headquarters excluded Commander Im Seong-geun's charges altogether, increasing the need to clarify the charges."

Park Jung-hoon, Former Commander of the Marine Corps Investigation Unit [Image Source=Yonhap News]

Previously, Colonel Park was investigated for insubordination after transferring the case involving Corporal Chae, who died during the search for flood victims last month, to the police with charges of negligent homicide against Commander Im and seven others. Colonel Park's side claims there was external pressure from the Ministry of National Defense to reduce the accused to below the battalion commander level. The Ministry of National Defense investigation headquarters, which re-investigated the case, handed over the case to the police the day before yesterday, specifying negligent homicide charges only against two battalion commanders. For four others, including Commander Im, only factual details were sent without specifying charges, and two lower-ranking officers were excluded from charges.

Attorney Kim is also the legal representative for Lieutenant Colonel A, the battalion commander of the 7th Headquarters of the Marine Corps 1st Division Artillery Battalion. He stated, "In a situation where all responsibility is being placed solely on the field commanders, the battalion commander of the 7th Artillery Headquarters will calmly accept his responsibility, but it is common sense that he cannot bear the division commander's responsibility as well," adding "We filed the complaint to clear the investigation unit chief of insubordination charges and to prevent the unlawful expansion of responsibility onto the 7th Artillery Battalion commander."

Furthermore, Attorney Kim emphasized, "I will file complaints with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) against the Ministry of National Defense Legal Affairs Officer and the Ministry of National Defense Prosecutor General," adding, "I will hold accountable the three individuals?the Legal Affairs Officer, the Ministry of National Defense Prosecutor General, and the 1st Division commander?who provided incorrect legal advice (interpretation) in this case."

According to Attorney Kim, on the 26th of last month, Commander Im Seong-geun told Investigation Unit Chief Park Jeong-hoon in his office, "As the original commander, I will take responsibility. I will not claim immunity," and accordingly, the investigation proceeded. However, when the case was transferred to the Ministry of National Defense investigation headquarters, Commander Im reversed his statement, claiming that "according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff's fragmentary order (operational control authority was transferred to the Army 50th Division commander), I am not responsible."

Investigation Unit Chief's Side: "Minister and Navy Chief of Staff, Including Subsequent Personnel Changes"

Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop Finds Missing Marine Soldiers Location
Photo by Yonhap News

On the same day, Attorney Kim also raised suspicions that the military authorities considered replacing Commander Im Seong-geun during the investigation of the Marine who died in the line of duty during the flood victim search, and had even designated a successor. This claim can be interpreted as the military authorities initially recognizing Commander Im's charges to the extent of preparing personnel changes.

He claimed, "On the 30th of last month, Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop received a report on the investigation results from Investigation Unit Chief Park (Colonel) and signed off on it. Then, in a private meeting with Marine Corps Commander Kim Gye-hwan, he signed off on the appointment of the successor for the 1st Division commander," adding, "It is necessary to verify the detailed circumstances." Colonel Park reportedly received face-to-face approval from Minister Lee for the accident investigation report around 4:30 p.m. on the 30th, and afterward, Minister Lee had a private meeting with Commander Kim for about 15 minutes, according to Colonel Park's side.

Commander Kim was briefed by Colonel Park on the 28th of last month about the investigation results, which included negligent homicide charges against Commander Im Seong-geun and seven others. Two days later, on the 30th, Commander Kim reported in person to Navy Chief of Staff Lee Jong-ho and Minister Lee, along with Colonel Park. During this process, Commander Kim considered Colonel B as the successor to Commander Im but did not obtain consent, so he designated Deputy Commander Jeong Jong-beom (colonel). Colonel Park's side also claims it is "highly likely" that the successor appointment was reported to and approved by Chief Lee and Minister Lee.

The Marine Corps Command Headquarters refuted these claims, stating, "The Marine Corps commander did not receive approval from the Navy Chief of Staff or the Minister of National Defense for the successor appointment of the Marine Corps 1st Division commander on the 30th of last month."

Bereaved Parents of Fallen Marine: "We Hope the Truth Will Be Revealed Through Police Investigation"

A Marine shedding tears at a comrade's funeral
Photo by Yonhap News

The parents of the late Corporal Chae expressed their hope that the police investigation will uncover the substantive truth. In a statement sent to the Ministry of National Defense press corps the day before, Corporal Chae's parents said, "We, the bereaved family, hope and will watch closely as the police conduct a swift and wise investigation to clarify the substantive truth, and also establish effective measures to prevent recurrence."

They added, "This afternoon (the 21st), the Ministry of National Defense investigation headquarters visited us to explain the review results, including differences from the Marine Corps investigation materials," and said, "They mentioned that all review results and Marine Corps investigation unit materials will soon be transferred to the police." They also stated, "Although it feels somewhat delayed, since a formal investigation is starting, we will wait again," and "We will focus on memorializing and try to return to daily life."

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