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Key Points

South Korea's former spy chief Cho Tae-yong will face questioning over alleged government meddling in the investigation of Marine Chae Su-geun's 2023 death. Prosecutors suspect Cho helped alter probe results after President Yoon Suk Yeol reportedly erupted during a key meeting. The case centers on whether officials pressured investigators to clear senior military commanders of responsibility. A special counsel recently raided Cho's home as part of the widening abuse of power investigation.

Key Points: Ex-NIS Chief Cho Tae-yong Questioned in Marine Chae Death Probe

  • Cho Tae-yong summoned as suspect in alleged cover-up of Marine Chae's death
  • Probe focuses on Yoon Suk Yeol's reported interference in 2023 case
  • Cho accused of coordinating with ex-Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup
  • Special counsel seized Cho's phone in recent raid over abuse of power claims
2 min read

South Korea: Special counsel to question ex-NIS chief in Marine death probe

Former NIS director faces abuse of power charges over alleged interference in Marine Chae Su-geun's death investigation under President Yoon Suk Yeol.

"We plan to question him about how the Cpl. Chae investigation results were reported to the president – Choung Min-young"

Seoul, July 28

The South Korean former National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director, Cho Tae-yong has been summoned to appear for questioning this week over allegations of government interference in an initial probe into the 2023 death of a Marine, a special counsel team said Monday.

The former NIS Director has been asked to appear as a suspect at special counsel Lee Myeong-hyeon's office on Tuesday morning, assistant special counsel Choung Min-young said during a press briefing. Cho faces charges of abuse of power.

"We plan to question him about how the Cpl. Chae investigation results were reported to the president, how the president reacted, what instructions he gave to whom, and how those instructions impacted the investigation results," Choung said.

Cho was one of the senior officials in attendance at a July 31, 2023, meeting where then President Yoon Suk Yeol allegedly flew into a rage upon hearing the preliminary probe results that found a senior Marine commander responsible for the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun.

Chae died earlier that month while on a mission to search for torrential rain victims, Yonhap news agency reported.

The former NIS director is believed to have been one of two people Yoon kept behind at the meeting before placing a call to then Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup.

He is also suspected of having called the then defence minister days later when the Marine Corps' investigation team sent the preliminary probe results to the police in defiance of orders from superiors not to do so.

The case centers on allegations the investigation results were later changed to clear the initial suspects of responsibility.

The special counsel team raided Cho's home earlier this month and confiscated his cellphone, among other items.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
Interesting to see another Asian country dealing with political interference in military matters. In India we've seen similar cases where investigations get influenced. At least they're making it public!
A
Aditya G
The Marine died while saving flood victims - what a hero! Instead of honoring him, they're playing politics. Shameful behavior by officials. We should learn from this and protect our armed forces better.
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Priya S
While this is concerning, I appreciate that South Korea has systems to investigate such matters. In India, many similar cases get buried under bureaucracy. We need stronger accountability mechanisms too.
V
Vikram M
The article doesn't mention - was the Marine properly equipped for the rescue mission? In India we've lost many soldiers due to inadequate gear. Safety protocols must be priority #1 for all armed forces.
K
Kavya N
Respect to the special counsel for pursuing this despite political pressure. In our country, such investigations often get derailed when powerful people are involved. Hope justice prevails in both nations.

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