Seoul: Oh Dong-woon, chief of the state anti-corruption investigation office, is set to appear at a special counsel office later this week for questioning about suspicions surrounding his agency’s investigation into the death of a Marine in 2023, a ranking special counsel official stated on Tuesday. The questioning, conducted by special counsel Lee Myeong-hyeon’s team, is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, as confirmed by assistant special counsel Jeong Min-young.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Oh, the chief prosecutor of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), is accused of dereliction of duty. He allegedly failed to notify the Supreme Prosecutors Office for nearly a year after a criminal complaint was filed against then CIO prosecutor Song Chang-jin in July last year, which is a legal requirement. The complaint, filed by lawmakers of the Democratic Party, accused Song of lying under oath at the National Assembly.
Song had claimed ignorance of Lee Jong-ho’s involvement in suspected lobbying to clear Lim Seong-geun, the former commander of the Marine Corps 1st Division, of charges. Lim is suspected of occupational negligence leading to the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who was swept away during a search and rescue mission for downpour victims in July 2023. Allegations against Song include lying, as he had previously served as Lee’s lawyer before joining the CIO.
In related developments, the special counsel team also questioned Lee Jae-seung, the deputy director of the CIO, on Tuesday. Plans are in place to summon Song and a former CIO prosecutor, Kim Sun-kyu, for questioning later this week. The special counsel team suspects that Oh, Lee, and other CIO officials delayed informing the prosecution to stall the investigation concerning the Marine’s death.