Seoul: A special counsel team announced on Thursday that it has imposed a new exit ban on former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup as part of its ongoing investigation into the military's response to the 2023 death of a Marine.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the team, led by special counsel Lee Myeong-hyeon, has also restricted former Marine Corps Commandant Lt. Gen. Kim Kye-hwan and Lim Seong-geun, former commander of the Marine Corps 1st Division, from leaving the country while the investigation is underway. This information was shared during a press briefing.
The former defense minister is at the center of allegations involving the previous government, including former President Yoon Suk Yeol, accused of interfering in a military investigation regarding the death of Cpl. Chae. Cpl. Chae tragically lost his life after being swept away by a swollen stream during a search operation for torrential rain victims in July 2023.
Both Kim and Lim have also been implicated in this case. Previously, all three individuals were subject to exit bans by the prosecution and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials. However, the special counsel team renewed these measures following the transfer of the case to them.