[2nd Report] Colonel Park Jeonghun Acquitted in First Trial on Charges of Mutiny and Defamation of Superior Officer's Honor

Former Marine Corps Investigation Unit Commander Park Jeong-hoon (Colonel), who was indicted on charges of insubordination and defamation of a superior officer's honor in relation to the initial investigation of the death of Marine Corps Corporal Chae, was acquitted. The Central Regional Military Court delivered this verdict to Colonel Park on the 9th during the first trial sentencing hearing. This trial outcome is expected to have repercussions on the efforts to uncover the truth regarding the alleged 'investigation interference.'

Colonel Park reported the investigation results of the Marine Corps Investigation Unit in person to former Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop on July 30, 2022. Former Minister Lee approved (signed) the report but then instructed former Marine Corps Commander Kim Gye-hwan to withhold the transfer to the police. Former Commander Kim also stated that he conveyed this instruction to Colonel Park; however, on August 2, Colonel Park handed over the related documents to the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency, the competent police authority. The trial of Colonel Park, which began on December 7, 2023, went through a total of 10 hearings until the final arguments on November 21 last year, with key officials involved in the case, including former Minister Lee and former Commander Kim, appearing as witnesses.

In the final defense statement at the sentencing hearing, Colonel Park’s legal team argued, "Illegal external pressure did exist, Marine Corps Commander Kim Gye-hwan did not issue the order to withhold the transfer, and even if such an order existed, it was a product of external pressure and cannot be considered a legitimate order," asserting that "an acquittal should be pronounced."

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