Former Division Commander Lim Seong-geun: "Military Specificity Must Be Considered... Please Show Leniency to Subordinates"

Submission of Petition to Police Regarding Marine Corps Medic Chae Sang-byeong's Death
"Case Outcome Will Affect Future National Security"

Regarding the 'Marine Corps Private Chae Sang-byeong Death Incident,' former commander of the 1st Marine Division, Im Seong-geun, who is charged with negligent homicide, submitted a petition to the police requesting leniency for his subordinates who are co-suspects.

According to the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency on the 10th, former commander Im sent the petition via social networking service (SNS) messenger to a Gyeongbuk police official that morning and also mailed the same document to the police. In the petition, Im stated, "The outcome of this case will have an unimaginable impact on the future of the Korean military and national security," adding, "If my subordinates who participated in the military operation are criminally punished this time, the ripple effect will not be limited to their individual lives."

Former Marine Corps 1st Division Commander Lim Seong-geun is seen on the morning of the 14th of last month at the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency Criminal Mobile Unit in Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, after undergoing more than 22 hours of investigation related to the "Marine Corps Private Cha Sang-byeong's death in the line of duty" case, addressing the press.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

He continued, "If a soldier is criminally punished for incidents occurring during military operations, soldiers will have grounds to refuse to carry out operations citing the possibility of criminal punishment," emphasizing, "When determining the criminal responsibility of my subordinates, the unique characteristics of the military and military operations must be reflected." He said, "Soldiers are trained to die without complaint when the nation requires it," and added, "The difference between the police and the military is that the military must obey orders to die, but the police can protect themselves when they are victims."

Former commander Im also claimed that the cause of the incident was "the commander of the 11th Artillery Battalion, the senior battalion commander of the artillery battalion, who, in an effort to elevate the status of the artillery, arbitrarily expanded the operational target area and disseminated operational guidelines." It is reported that Im had previously submitted similar materials containing a petition to the police in January. The police plan to review the petition after verifying its contents.

Meanwhile, Private Chae Sang-byeong was deployed in July last year to search for flood victims in Yecheon-gun, Gyeongbuk, and was swept away by a rapid current and died in the line of duty. Since the accident, the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency has summoned and investigated more than 50 related persons, including suspects and witnesses.

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