The Marine Corps Special Investigation Team announced that it plans to summon former Minister of National Defense Park Jin-hee as a witness on the 28th for questioning.
At a briefing on the morning of the 25th, Special Investigator Jeong Min-young noted, "Former aide Park has been in close contact with key individuals related to the death of Private Cha, including former Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop and former Marine Corps Commander Kim Gye-hwan."
Special Investigator Jeong said, "The investigation will broadly examine the directives and conversations from the higher-ups at the time of Private Cha's death through the questioning of former aide Park."
Special Investigator Jeong noted, "I understand that there was a search and seizure conducted by the CIO regarding former aide Park," adding, "The Special Investigation Team will check the CIO's investigative findings tomorrow and then discuss whether to change the status to a suspect."
Additionally, Special Investigator Jeong stated, "We are currently questioning former Deputy Minister Heo Tae-geun as a witness regarding the death of Private Cha." Heo was present during the meeting at the Presidential Office when the report about the 'VIP anger theory' surfaced.
Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Team is investigating the allegations of external pressure in the case of Private Cha's death based on the 'VIP anger theory.' The VIP anger theory suggests that former President Yoon Suk-yeol expressed anger during a meeting at the Presidential Office at 11 a.m. on July 31, 2023, after being briefed on the investigation results of the Private Cha case, and subsequently called former Minister Lee to reprimand him, allegedly halting the transfer to police and altering the investigation results.