Key Points

South Korean authorities raided former President Yoon Suk Yeol's home as part of a widening probe into alleged interference in a Marine's death investigation. The case centers on claims that high-ranking officials manipulated the military's findings regarding Cpl. Chae Su-geun's drowning during a 2023 rescue mission. Investigators also targeted ex-spy chief Cho Tae-yong's residence, expanding the scope of their corruption inquiry. The raid follows Yoon's recent detention over separate abuse of power charges.

Key Points: Ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol Home Raided in Marine Death Probe

  • Special counsel executes raid on ex-President Yoon's Seoul home
  • Probe focuses on alleged interference in Marine Cpl. Chae's death case
  • Yoon detained over abuse of power and failed martial law bid
  • Investigators also raid ex-NIS chief Cho Tae-yong's residence
2 min read

South Korea: Special counsel tries to raid ex-President Yoon's home in Marine death probe

South Korea's special counsel raids ex-President Yoon's home over alleged interference in Marine Cpl. Chae Su-geun's death investigation.

"The team would investigate details of the meeting and the alleged instructions made at the time. – Choung Min-young, Assistant Special Prosecutor"

Seoul, July 11

A special counsel team on Friday began to carry out a warrant to search the home of former President Yoon Suk Yeol as part of its investigation into alleged interference of an initial probe into the 2023 death of a Marine conscript.

The team arrived at Yoon's home in southern Seoul and is currently working out details over the raid with the former president's lawyers, according to Choung Min-young, an assistant special prosecutor at the team.

The investigation centers on allegations that high-ranking officials, including Yoon, interfered in the military's probe into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who was swept away by a swollen stream during a search for torrential rain victims in July 2023.

Yoon, who is a suspect in the case on abuse of power charges, is currently detained at Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, just south of Seoul, after a court issued a warrant for his arrest early Thursday over his failed martial law bid, Yonhap news agency reported.

The team's investigation has focused on allegations that Yoon became enraged and took issue with the results of the military probe into Chae's death, which found a senior Marine commander responsible.

After the alleged incident, a media briefing on the investigation was canceled, while military investigators were ordered to stop transferring the case to the police.

Choung said the team would investigate details of the meeting and the alleged instructions made at the time.

Meanwhile, the team also raided the home of former Director of the National Intelligence Service Cho Tae-yong, who was present at the meeting when Yoon allegedly vented his anger, among other locations earlier in the day.

The move came after the team raided the defense ministry, the presidential National Security Office and other locations on Thursday.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As an expat in Seoul, I'm shocked by these developments. The Marine's death was tragic enough without political games. Hope India learns from this - our armed forces deserve complete autonomy in such matters.
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Priya S
Why are powerful people always trying to cover things up? Whether it's Korea or India, the common people suffer while leaders play their games. That young Marine was someone's son 😔
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Rohit P
The special counsel is doing good work here. We need such independent investigations in India too when our soldiers face injustice. Jai Hind!
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Michael C
While this is concerning, let's not jump to conclusions. Every leader deserves due process. The investigation should be thorough but fair.
K
Kavya N
This reminds me of the controversies around some defense deals in India. Power corrupts everywhere it seems. Hope justice prevails for Corporal Chae's family 🙏

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