The special investigation team, led by Special Prosecutor Lee Myung-hyun, indicted Im Seong-geun, the former commander of the 1st Marine Division, on October 10. He is a key suspect in the cover-up allegations related to a marine’s on-duty death and investigation interference. This indictment comes 2 years and 4 months after the incident occurred.
The special investigation team announced that Im had been indicted while in custody for charges of professional negligence resulting in injury or death, as well as for violating military law by disobeying orders.
Additionally, four Marine commanders, including Colonel Park Sang-hyun of the 2nd Rapid Deployment Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Choi Jin-kyu of the 11th Artillery Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Lee Yong-min of the 7th Artillery Battalion, and Captain Jang of the 7th Artillery Battalion Headquarters Company, were charged without detention for their roles in the incident.
The charges against Im and others are related to an incident on July 19, 2023, where they allegedly failed to provide life jackets and other safety equipment during a search operation for missing persons amid heavy rain near the Naeseongcheon basin in Bomeyeo, Yecheon County, North Gyeongsang Province. This led to the death of one marine and injuries to other marines.
Im is also accused of violating a joint order by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Army’s 2nd Operational Command, which transferred operational control to the 50th Division Commander. Despite this, Im directly guided the search operation and exerted authority over personnel decisions, thus exercising command unlawfully.