Special counsel team to extend probe into Marine's death until Sept. 29
Assistant special counsel Choung Min-young speaks during a press briefing at the special counsel team’s office in Seoul, July 18. Yonhap
A special counsel team said Thursday it has decided to extend its investigation into alleged government interference in a 2023 probe of a Marine's death for 30 days until Sept. 29.
Special counsel Lee Myeong-hyeon's investigation of the allegations surrounding the military probe into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun in July 2023 had been initially set to end next Saturday after launching July 2.
With the planned extension, the investigation will now conclude Sept. 29. Under a special counsel bill passed in June, the investigation can run for up to 120 days.
Assistant special counsel Choung Min-young said the team needs more time for questioning and analyzing evidence. The team plans to formally notify President Lee Jae Myung and the National Assembly of the extension next week.
The investigation has focused on allegations that the initial suspects of the probe were cleared after alleged interference by high-ranking officials of the then Yoon Suk Yeol administration, including the former president himself.
Chae died during a search mission for torrential rain victims after being swept away by an overflowing stream.