Battalion Commander and 5 Other Officers Charged for Death of Marine
The very politically charged death of a Marine that died last year from drowning during a botched rescue attempt, has led to charges against multiple officers:
In this file photo, Lee Yong-min, former commander of the Marine Corps’ 7th battalion, pays his respect on June 13, 2024, at the tomb of a Marine conscript who died during a search for missing downpour victims last year. (Yonhap)
Police decided Monday not to charge a Marine division commander accused of responsibility in last year’s death of a young solider during a search operation for flood victims, only referring six other officers to the prosecution for indictment.
The result of the politically sensitive investigation came a year after the then 20-year-old Marine conscript, surnamed Chae, was swept away by a torrent during a search for missing downpour victims in the southeastern county of Yecheon on July 19 last year. He was found dead half a day later.
The death sparked national outrage over initial findings that conscripts, including Chae, were mobilized for the risky search mission to comb through a swollen, torrential and muddy stream without proper safety gear, such as life jackets or ropes, resulting in Chae’s death.
On Monday, the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency in Andong, near Yecheon, announced that it has decided to forward six military field commanders, including the commander of Chae’s battalion and another battalion chief, to the prosecution on charges of professional negligence resulting in death.
Yonhap
You can read more at the link, but the political aspect of this case occurred when the Marine Corps division commander tried to allegedlly cover up the investigation. The claims are that the division commander was covering up on behalf of President Yoon. This interference is being investigated separately.
@GIKorea
I’m afraid you got it wrong there.
A ROKMC HQ internal investigation found the 1st ROKMC Division commander liable for the death of the Marine.
The investigation report was approved for release by the Defense Minister at that time, and the ROKMC Commandant.
However, before a scheduled press conference to announce the result, the press conference was abruptly cancelled and the investigation report was overturned by the order of the Defense Minister.
The main question here is did Yoon order the above and why did he order it?
There are indications that the Defense Minister was acting on Yoon’s orders and more allegations have come out that the 1st Division commander was a close associate of one of Kim Keon-hee’s business partners, and that business partner may have asked Kim to intervene on the 1st Division commander’s behalf.
If Yoon did order the above, it means that Yoon used his powers to interfere in an investigation as such there is impeachment potential here and if it does happen it will happen because of this not Itaewon.