A detention hearing for former Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-sup, who is suspected of exerting outside pressure on the investigation into the death of Marine Lance Cpl. Chae Su-geun, has been underway since the morning of the 23rd. Appearing at court, Lee said, "I do not acknowledge the charges."
Jeong Jae-uk, warrant-assignments Director General at the Seoul Central District Court, has been holding Lee's pretrial detention hearing (substantive warrant review) since 10:10 a.m. that day.
Arriving at the Seoul Central District Court at about 9:47 a.m. that day, Lee, the former Minister, answered reporters' questions such as "Do you acknowledge the allegation that you led the investigative pressure?" by saying, "I do not acknowledge it," and added, "I will explain in detail in court."
Earlier, on the 20th, the special counsel for the Marines requested an arrest warrant for the former Minister on six charges, including abuse of power and obstruction of another's rights.
At the time of Chae's death, the former Minister was overseeing defense affairs and is suspected of intervening to prevent the Marine Corps investigative team's initial findings from being transferred to the police.
The special counsel is investigating the alleged investigative pressure in the Chae case based on the so-called "VIP rage theory." The VIP rage theory alleges that Yoon Suk-yeol became enraged after being briefed on the Chae case findings at 11 a.m. on July 31, 2023, during a presidential office meeting, and that he scolded the former Minister by phone, resulting in the police transfer being put on hold and the findings being changed.