Special Counsel Summons Ex-Marine Chief in Marine Death Investigation

Seoul: A special counsel team announced on Friday its decision to summon a former top commander of the Marine Corps next week as part of an ongoing investigation into the military's response to the 2023 death of a Marine. According to Yonhap News Agency, the team has ordered former Marine Corps Commandant Kim Kye-hwan to appear on Monday. The questioning will address allegations that high-ranking officials, including former President Yoon Suk Yeol, interfered with a military investigation into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun. Chae died in July 2023 after being swept away by a swollen stream during a search operation for victims of torrential rains. Kim has agreed to attend the session, which will focus on directives he received from then Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and the presidential office, as stated by an assistant special prosecutor during a briefing to reporters. On Thursday, the special counsel team implemented new exit bans against Kim and Lim Seong-geun, the former commander of the 1st Marine Div ision to which Chae belonged. Lim was interrogated by special prosecutors on Wednesday regarding alleged occupational negligence leading to Chae's death.