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South Korea’s special counsel has indicted former President Yoon Suk Yeol for allegedly orchestrating a cover-up of a military investigation into a Marine’s death, marking the latest criminal charge against the ousted leader, according to local media.
The indictment was announced Friday after the special counsel questioned Yoon over allegations that he ordered the presidential office and defense ministry to reverse the initial findings of a 2023 military probe into the death of Corporal Chae Su-geun. Prosecutors say the goal was to exculpate a then-Marine commander of responsibility.
During their investigation, the special counsel team discovered that former Marine Corps Commander Kim Gye-hwanto had submitted his mobile phone to the military probe unit with more than 700 files deliberately deleted. These include call recordings made between late July and early August 2023.
“The president as the head of the government has the authority to oversee investigative agencies … but this is of a general and declaratory nature, which should be exercised in accordance with the rule of law and principles of due process. Going beyond this and making specific instructions… undermines the fairness and independence of investigations, and infringes upon people’s basic rights through arbitrary law enforcement that is not permitted,” the special counsel said.
Chae Su-geun died on July 19, 2023, after being swept away by strong rapids during a search mission for victims of heavy rains without wearing a life vest or other safety equipment. Local media later reported that there was no prior consultation with fire authorities about the search mission, which triggered mounting pressure at the time over the deployment of Chae in a fully recognized dangerous situation.
The military then launched an investigation into the case, with eight individuals, including former 1st Marine Division commander Lim Seong-geun, suspected of negligence resulting in death. Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop initially approved the investigation report on July 30, but reportedly reversed course the following day, ordering a legal review. According to the special counsel, Lee was concerned that charges against junior officers could improperly influence the police investigation and cited insufficient proof of causation between the negligence and the death. The special counsel contends this reversal followed Yoon’s angry reaction upon being briefed on the initial findings.
The ministry also dismissed Colonel Park Jung-hoon, who had led the military investigation into Chae’s death, after he reportedly defied Lee’s orders. Park has since been reinstated.
Yoon was removed from his office through an impeachment over a December 2024 declaration of martial law that plunged the country into political turmoil. The Constitutional Court later confirmed the impeachment. Lee Jae-myung, then-opposition leader, was subsequently elected as President in a snap election.
The latest indictment adds to the existing charges of insurrection and aiding the enemy.
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The indictment was announced Friday after the special counsel questioned Yoon over allegations that he ordered the presidential office and defense ministry to reverse the initial findings of a 2023 military probe into the death of Corporal Chae Su-geun. Prosecutors say the goal was to exculpate a then-Marine commander of responsibility.
During their investigation, the special counsel team discovered that former Marine Corps Commander Kim Gye-hwanto had submitted his mobile phone to the military probe unit with more than 700 files deliberately deleted. These include call recordings made between late July and early August 2023.
“The president as the head of the government has the authority to oversee investigative agencies … but this is of a general and declaratory nature, which should be exercised in accordance with the rule of law and principles of due process. Going beyond this and making specific instructions… undermines the fairness and independence of investigations, and infringes upon people’s basic rights through arbitrary law enforcement that is not permitted,” the special counsel said.
Chae Su-geun died on July 19, 2023, after being swept away by strong rapids during a search mission for victims of heavy rains without wearing a life vest or other safety equipment. Local media later reported that there was no prior consultation with fire authorities about the search mission, which triggered mounting pressure at the time over the deployment of Chae in a fully recognized dangerous situation.
The military then launched an investigation into the case, with eight individuals, including former 1st Marine Division commander Lim Seong-geun, suspected of negligence resulting in death. Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop initially approved the investigation report on July 30, but reportedly reversed course the following day, ordering a legal review. According to the special counsel, Lee was concerned that charges against junior officers could improperly influence the police investigation and cited insufficient proof of causation between the negligence and the death. The special counsel contends this reversal followed Yoon’s angry reaction upon being briefed on the initial findings.
The ministry also dismissed Colonel Park Jung-hoon, who had led the military investigation into Chae’s death, after he reportedly defied Lee’s orders. Park has since been reinstated.
Yoon was removed from his office through an impeachment over a December 2024 declaration of martial law that plunged the country into political turmoil. The Constitutional Court later confirmed the impeachment. Lee Jae-myung, then-opposition leader, was subsequently elected as President in a snap election.
The latest indictment adds to the existing charges of insurrection and aiding the enemy.
The post South Korea indicts former president Yoon over alleged cover-up of Marine’s death appeared first on JURIST - News.
Continue reading...
Note: We don't have any responsibilities about this news. Its been posted here by Feed Reader and we had no controls and checking on it. And because News posted here will be deleted automatically after 21 days, threads are closed so that no one spend time to post and discuss here. You can always check the source and discuss in their site.