SEOUL - A former division commander of the Marine Corps, Lim Seong-geun, returned home Tuesday after undergoing 22 hours of police questioning regarding the death of a Marine conscript during a search operation last July. The incident, which involved a young Marine identified only by the surname Chae, occurred during a mission to locate victims of a flood in Yecheon, a southeastern county, where Chae was tragically swept away by a torrent and later found deceased.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lim is the highest-ranking Marine official interrogated in this case and is accused of sending conscripts on the dangerous mission without adequate safety equipment, such as life jackets, directly contributing to Chae's death. Lim, who has denied these charges, asserted his innocence, stating the operation was under the command of a Marine brigade and an Army commander, excluding his direct involvement. He expressed his commitment to truth and transparency during the questioning process.