In connection with the Marine's death in the line of duty case, Lee Wan-kyu, the newly appointed attorney for former Marine 1st Division Commander Lim Sung-keun and former Minister of Government Legislation, said on the 30th that it seems former Commander Lim is being subjected to a witch hunt by a trial of public opinion.
That day, the former Minister said this to reporters as he arrived at about 9:40 a.m. at the special counsel's office on the Marine's death in the line of duty in Seocho District, Seoul, to attend former Commander Lim's questioning. Former Commander Lim appointed the former Minister as his attorney the previous day.
When asked by reporters, "What is the reason you took on the defense of former Commander Lim?" the former Minister said, "I cannot speak in detail, and since I have taken the case, I will do my best." To the question, "Was he appointed to inform former President Yoon Suk-yeol's side of the investigation details?" he said, "There is absolutely nothing like that." He added, "It seemed former Commander Lim has been subjected to too much of a witch hunt because of the so-called trial of public opinion, so I took the case to help him receive a trial in accordance with due process."
Former Commander Lim was arrested on the 24th on charges including occupational negligence manslaughter over the death of the late Corporal Chae Su-geun, who was swept away by a rapid current and died during a search operation for missing persons in July 2023. At the detention warrant hearing, former Commander Lim responded with another attorney, but after being detained he newly appointed the former Minister.
Former Commander Lim also appeared before the special counsel after the former Minister moved to the interrogation room that day. At about 9:51 a.m., wearing a suit and a white mask, former Commander Lim did not answer reporters' questions such as whether his position is that he bears no legal responsibility for Corporal Chae's death in the line of duty and why he newly appointed an attorney, and headed to the interrogation room.