CIO raids presidential archive in Marine death probe
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials attempts to raid the presidential office over allegations that former President Yoon Suk Yeol interfered in a military probe into the death of a Marine conscript two years ago in Seoul, May 7. Yonhap
The state anti-corruption investigation office raided the presidential archives Tuesday to secure materials related to allegations that former President Yoon Suk Yeol interfered in a military probe into the death of a Marine conscript two years ago.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) said it sent investigators to search the state archive in Sejong, some 100 kilometers south of Seoul, to secure evidence related to Yoon's alleged involvement in the case.
The investigation centers on the Marine Corps' investigation into the death of Cpl. Chae, who was swept away by a swollen stream in Yecheon, 161 kilometers southeast of Seoul, in July 2023 while on a search mission for victims of heavy rains.
Marine Corps investigators held Lim Seong-geun, former commander of the Marine Corps 1st Division to which Chae belonged, and seven others responsible for the conscript's death, and sought to transfer them to police on negligent homicide and other charges.
Former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup initially approved the investigation findings and the transfer plan, but reversed his decision the next day, allegedly under pressure from Yoon.
The CIO sought to secure records of meetings and entry logs at the presidential office from around July 31, 2023, when Yoon reportedly vented anger over the investigation results.
The presidential archives said last week it received some 13.65 million records from Yoon's term in office and the subsequent terms of acting presidents, which are required to be sealed for between 15 and 30 years.