Ex-Marine chief appears for questioning in special counsel probe over Marine's death
Former Marine Corps Commandant Kim Kye-hwan, center, appears to undergo questioning at a special counsel team's office in Seoul, July 7. Yonhap
A former top Marine Corps commander appeared before a special counsel team Monday to undergo questioning as part of an investigation into allegations that top military officials and the presidential office intervened in an initial probe of the 2023 death of a young Marine.
Former Marine Corps Commandant Kim Kye-hwan showed up at the team's office over allegations then high-ranking officials, including former President Yoon Suk Yeol, interfered in a military probe into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who was swept away by a swollen stream during a search for torrential rain victims in July 2023.
Kim entered the office in southern Seoul without responding to reporters' questions.
The special counsel team is expected to focus their questioning on allegations that Yoon vented his anger after being briefed on the results of the military's investigation into Chae's death.
After the alleged incident, then Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup is suspected of canceling a media briefing on the investigation and ordering military investigators to halt transferring the case to the police.
Park Jung-hun, the top Marine investigator at the time, has said Kim told him about Yoon's anger later that day, while the former Marine commandant has denied the claim.
Phone records show that Kim spoke with Lee and a senior defense aide at the presidential office that day. The special counsel seeks to question Kim over the calls.
The former three-star general retired from service in December and will undergo questioning as a civilian.