The state anti-corruption investigation office raided the presidential office for a second day Thursday and secured some key materials related to allegations that former President Yoon Suk Yeol interfered in a military probe into the death of a Marine conscript two years ago.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials resumed its efforts to search the presidential office earlier in the day, a day after it halted the execution of a search due to more discussions about the method and scope of the raid.
"The raid on the presidential office and National Security Office concluded around 4:30 p.m. It proceeded smoothly with the cooperation of the relevant institutions," the CIO said in a release.
The allegation centers on Yoon's possible involvement in the Marine Corps' investigation into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who was swept away by a swollen stream in Yecheon, 161 kilometers southeast of Seoul, in July 2023 while on a search mission following heavy rains.
Marine Corps investigators held Lim Seong-geun, former commander of the Marine Corps 1st Division to which Chae belonged, and seven others responsible for the conscript's death, and sought to transfer them to police on negligent homicide and other charges.
Former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup initially approved the investigation findings and the transfer plan, but reversed his decision the next day, allegedly under pressure from Yoon.
Thursday's raid aims to secure records of meetings and entry logs at the presidential office, among other things, from around July 31, 2023, when rumors about Yoon's involvement began to circulate.
Investigators presented a warrant to the presidential office and "received some necessary materials through mutual agreement," according to CIO officials. (Yonhap)
