The presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, May 7 (Korea Bizwire) — The state anti-corruption investigation office said Wednesday it has suspended its attempt to raid the presidential office in connection with 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 (CIO) said its prosecutors and investigators attempted to execute a search at the presidential compound in Yongsan, central Seoul, but halted the raid operation at around 5:30 p.m.
“The search and seizure operation by the investigation team targeting the presidential secretariat and the national security office was suspended at around 5:30 p.m., and discussions regarding its execution are ongoing,” the CIO said in a press notice.
It marks the first time the CIO has attempted to raid the presidential office since launching its investigation into the case.
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.
The CIO is reportedly seeking visitor logs and meeting records from the presidential office related to Yoon’s alleged interference in the military probe. The search and seizure warrant reportedly names Yoon as a suspect in an abuse of power case.
(Yonhap)
