Special Prosecutor Lee Myeong-hyeon pays tribute at the grave of Marine Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who died during a search and rescue mission in July 2023, at the National Cemetery in Daejeon on Tuesday, marking the official launch of the special investigation. (Yonhap)
Special Prosecutor Lee Myeong-hyeon pays tribute at the grave of Marine Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who died during a search and rescue mission in July 2023, at the National Cemetery in Daejeon on Tuesday, marking the official launch of the special investigation. (Yonhap)

A special counsel team formed to investigate allegations surrounding the 2023 death of a Marine and the subsequent probe by the military paid tribute at the late Marine's grave in Daejeon on Tuesday, a day before the official launch of the special counsel's investigation.

Special prosecutor Lee Myeong-hyeon and his team are expected to look into various allegations, including negligence and influence peddling in connection with the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who was swept away in a swollen stream during a search and rescue mission for flood victims in July 2023.

On Tuesday, the team led by Lee visited the Daejeon National Cemetery, where Chae is buried.

Investigators from the special counsel team pay tribute to the late Cpl. Chae Su-geun at Daejeon National Cemetery, in Daejeon, Tuesday. (Yonhap)
Investigators from the special counsel team pay tribute to the late Cpl. Chae Su-geun at Daejeon National Cemetery, in Daejeon, Tuesday. (Yonhap)

A message written by Special Prosecutor Lee in the guestbook at the Daejeon National Cemetery reads, “We will uncover the truth to ensure that the tragic death of Marine Chae Su-geun was not in vain.” (Yonhap)
A message written by Special Prosecutor Lee in the guestbook at the Daejeon National Cemetery reads, “We will uncover the truth to ensure that the tragic death of Marine Chae Su-geun was not in vain.” (Yonhap)

After Chae died during flood recovery operations in Yecheon County, North Gyeongsang Province, allegations emerged that senior commanders had ordered the high-risk search mission without providing life vests, and that the presidential office and the Ministry of National Defense had exerted undue influence to shield the commanders from legal accountability.


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