Seoul: Lim Seong-geun, former commander of the Marine Corps 1st Division, faced four hours of questioning at the office of Special Prosecutor Lee Myeong-hyeon regarding allegations surrounding the death of a Marine in 2023.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lim was summoned as a suspect in the case of occupational negligence that led to the death of Corporal Chae Su-geun. Chae was swept away in a swollen stream during a search and rescue operation for downpour victims in July 2023. Lim is accused of ordering the operation without providing necessary safety equipment, such as a life jacket. Although police initially decided not to charge Lim after a yearlong investigation, the case was reopened following protests from Chae's family. Lim retired from military service in February.
Inside the special counsel's office in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul, Lim reportedly denied all charges. The questioning session concluded around 6 p.m., as Lim refused to continue into the night. "I stated my case in detail on allegations regarding occupational negligence resulting in death and not supplying a life jacket," Lim said upon leaving. He added that he would cooperate with future investigations.
Lim disclosed that he had handed over his mobile phone to investigators, though he claimed to have forgotten the password. Before entering the office, he expressed feeling a sense of moral but not legal responsibility, stating he did not order an underwater search.
The investigation also aims to probe allegations that former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his associates interfered with the military's investigation into Chae's death, and that Lee Jong-ho, former head of Black Pearl Invest, lobbied to exonerate Lim. Lim denied any connection with Lee Jong-ho and former first lady Kim Keon Hee, asserting that he had no involvement with them.
Lim also dismissed claims that Yoon was angered by the military's investigation results into Chae's death, stating he was unaware of any such allegations.