Ex-division commander grilled by special counsel over Marine's death

Lim Seong-geun, former commander of the Marine Corps 1st Division, arrives at the special counsel team's office in southern Seoul, July 2. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Lim Seong-geun, former commander of the Marine Corps 1st Division, appeared at the office of Special Prosecutor Lee Myeong-hyeon on Wednesday to be questioned about allegations over the tragic death of a Marine in 2023.

Lee's team called in Lim as a suspect of occupational negligence resulting in the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who was swept away in a swollen stream during a search and rescue mission for victims of downpours in July 2023. Lim is accused of ordering the search operation involving Chae without providing safety equipment, such as a life jacket.

Police had earlier decided not to punish Lim after a yearlong investigation. Due to protests from Chae's family, however, the prosecution has resumed the investigation. Lim retired from the military in February this year.

"As the division commander at the time, I feel a sense of moral responsibility. But I understand that I'm not legally responsible because I didn't order an underwater search," Lim told reporters before entering the special counsel's office in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul.

The special counsel also seeks to investigate allegations that former President Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon's aides and former defense ministry officials interfered in a military probe into Chae's death and Lee Jong-ho, former head of Black Pearl Invest, engaged in lobbying to exonerate Lim using his acquaintance with former first lady Kim Keon Hee.

Regarding the lobbying allegations, Lim said: "I have never met Lee Jong-ho, and we're not acquainted. I don't know Kim Keon Hee at all, and if I had just called her once, I wouldn't have felt wronged."

Lim also said he has never heard of the allegation that Yoon vented his anger after being briefed on the results of the military's investigation into Chae's death.