Former Marine 1st Division Commander Lim Seong-geun appeared voluntarily on the 7th after the special counsel investigating the death in the line of duty of a Marine tried to execute a forced appearance.
Around 9 a.m. that day, the special counsel attempted to forcibly bring in the former division commander from the Seoul Detention Center. The former division commander reportedly changed course after seeing special counsel investigators who came to execute the detention warrant and expressed his intention to appear.
If a detained suspect does not comply with a summons, an investigative agency may bring the person in under a detention warrant.
Afterward, the former division commander arrived at the special counsel's office in Seocho District, Seoul, at about 9:46 a.m. that day in a Ministry of Justice transport vehicle. Lim did not answer reporters' questions, including "What was the reason for not complying with the summons?" and "Did you receive advice from new counsel?"
Earlier, the former division commander did not comply with the special counsel's summons on the 5th and 6th for two consecutive days. The former division commander was detained on the 24th of last month.
The former division commander is accused of ordering an underwater search without issuing life jackets and other safety gear during an operation to find people missing in flooding along the Naeseong Stream in Yecheon County, North Gyeongsang, in July 2023, causing one Marine to die and injuring other Marines (occupational negligence resulting in death and injury).
He is also accused of exercising command over the operation when he did not have operational control (violation of orders under Article 47 of the Military Criminal Act).