Former Marine Chief Grilled Again in Probe Over 2023 Marine Death
In a major development in the 2023 Marine death investigation, retired Marine Corps Commandant Kim Kye-hwan showed up for questioning by a special counsel team in Seoul on Sunday. The three-star general faces suspicions of meddling in the initial military probe into the tragic drowning of Corporal Chae Su-geun.
Remember Corporal Chae? The young Marine lost his life in July 2023 while searching for victims of heavy floods. He got swept away by a swollen stream during the mission, and shockingly, he wasn’t given proper safety gear. This heartbreaking incident has sparked a huge controversy in South Korea, with questions swirling about how the military handled the probe.
Kim, who once led the Marine Corps, arrived at the special counsel’s office in southern Seoul but stayed tight-lipped, ignoring questions from waiting reporters. This marks his fourth time facing the team—after two sessions in July and one just the day before, as per Yonhap news agency.
The investigation digs deeper into claims that former President Yoon Suk Yeol lost his cool during a high-level meeting in July 2023. Reports say Yoon exploded in anger when he learned the initial probe pointed fingers at a top Marine commander for Chae’s death. This has fueled allegations of government interference in the Marine Corps investigation.
Interestingly, Kim first denied knowing about Yoon’s outburst. But during a court hearing on July 22, he flipped his story and admitted hearing about the former president’s rage for the first time. The court, however, turned down an arrest warrant for him, saying there was no real risk of him fleeing or messing with evidence.
Adding to the drama, former National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Cho Tae-yong also came clean earlier this month. He told the special counsel team that Yoon indeed flew into a fury over the probe results—reversing his long-standing denial. Cho spoke as a suspect in the same interference case tied to Corporal Chae Su-geun’s death.
The special counsel, led by Lee Myeong-hyeon, is working hard to uncover any political meddling in the military’s handling of the case. As more details emerge, South Koreans are watching closely, demanding answers on how such a needless tragedy unfolded and who might be accountable. Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding Marine death probe.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
