The special investigation team started a search and seizure operation on former Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seob on the 10th. The Ministry of National Defense and the National Security Office were also understood to be included in the search targets.
The special investigation team said that on the same day in the morning, they are conducting searches at about 10 places, including the residence of former Minister Lee and the Ministry of National Defense and the National Security Office, related to the suspicion of "external pressure on the investigation of the deceased Marine." Former spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyu of the Ministry of National Defense was also included in the search targets.
In the investigation of the death of late Corporal Chae Soo-geun that took place in July and August 2023, former Marine Corps investigation team leader Park Jung-hoon (colonel) referred the case to the police, applying the charge of negligent homicide against Im Seong-gun, who was then the commander of the Marine Corps 1st Division. At that time, former Minister Lee and former Marine Corps Commander Kim Gye-hwan ordered the suspension and halt of the case record transfer but violated it.
Former Minister Lee is under suspicion of abuse of power for directing an investigation into Colonel Park Jung-hoon's insubordination.
The special investigation team also noted that they are conducting a search and seizure at the homes of former Public Office Discipline Secretary Lee Si-won and former Defense Secretary Lim Gi-hoon, who are identified as key suspects in the process of recovering the case record transfer of the Marine Corps investigation team. This is the first time searches have been conducted for the former Secretaries.
In a briefing on the same day, the special investigation team reported that former Vice Minister of National Defense Shin Beom-cheol is also a subject of investigation. However, it is stated that a specific schedule has not yet been set.
Meanwhile, the special investigation team plans to summon former Deputy Director of the National Security Office Kim Tae-hyo as a suspect for questioning on the 11th regarding the alleged external pressure on the investigation.