A letter expressing the mother of private Chae’s feeling has been made public on the 12th, amid the search for missing persons due to last year’s heavy rain. Chae’s mother lamented, “It has been almost a year since my son became a star in the sky, but there has been no progress in the investigation yet,” and pointed out that “commanders who have suspicions should bear the appropriate responsibility.” She also pleaded, “I earnestly request that you investigate the death of my son, restore the honor of former Marine Corps investigation team leader Park Jung-hoon, who is suffering, and grant bold leniency.”
The following is the full text of the letter.
“I am Chae Soo-geun’s mother. I would like to express my gratitude once again for the comfort and respect shown by the people during my son’s funeral period, as well as by President Yoon Seok-yeol and the nation. I sincerely thank everyone who has come to the National Daejeon National Cemetery to search for Soo-geun. As we approach the first anniversary of our son’s passing, I feel the need to express the feelings I have been holding back for so long.
I got married late and gave birth to our son in January 2003 after a difficult pregnancy, traveling 8 hours round trip to and from a gynecologist in Namwon and Sinsadong, Seoul. Riding the bus for so long, suffering from motion sickness, and going through a difficult time, I gave birth to our son after experiencing a miscarriage. I was so happy and grateful in the hospital as I looked at my child with tears of joy in my eyes in the morning.
Our child was so precious to us as we had a hard time conceiving, and everything seemed new and different in the world. But when our beloved son became a star in the sky, everything collapsed and came to a standstill. We didn’t even get a chance to take leave from the military, and the day we had lunch near the base at a pension for the completion ceremony on May 11th turned out to be the last day. Who would understand this heart-wrenching pain?
I was angry at the thoughtlessness and negligence but had been silent all this time, hoping that the investigation would progress as I believed it would. However, feeling that progress has been sluggish and still at a standstill, I muster the courage to write down my true feelings. As we approach the first anniversary of our son becoming a star in the sky, there is still no progress in the investigation, and from a mother’s perspective, it is worrisome and regrettable.
On that day, in a situation where they should not have been deployed into the water, why were they ordered to search for the missing person without wearing a life jacket? I still wonder why instructions were given to search for the missing person without wearing a life jacket in water with swift currents. I am curious if they verified his swimming ability. Looking back, I am deeply saddened that I couldn’t stop him when he insisted on joining the Marine Corps till the end. It breaks my heart how my son, who was so cherished and had high self-esteem, is suffering and enduring hardships due to the negligence of the military commanders.
I really miss him, I want to feel his presence, sit at the dining table and have a face-to-face conversation, but everything has become futile and irretrievable. It still feels like our son is somewhere in this world breathing, and like a mad person, I live as if he is still alive, and we endure rather than live each day with all our might.
To the police investigators, our son was unfairly turned into a star without even realizing his dreams, for my son Soo-geun, and I thought the truth would be revealed in early 24, but there is still no progress, and the parts that need to be revealed must be revealed. I believe that commanders who are suspected must bear the appropriate responsibility. Only then can I find peace and be able to say words to my son when I visit the National Cemetery. Wouldn’t I hear words of praise?
I ask for nothing more. Why were they instructed to enter the water, which had a fast current and muddy water, to search for the missing person on July 19th? And did they consider that it would be more difficult to walk with water in their boots when they went in wearing boots to search? Please uncover the truth. If the cause is revealed, I will no longer feel sorry for my son. If our son was sacrificed due to an order to enter the swift muddy water against the swift current, without a single suspicion, please end the swift police investigation to bring out the truth. That truth must be revealed for me to live.
He is our only beloved youngest son. Those who have not experienced this grief do not know. How much we are living in agony and pain… If you have ever thought once about what it would be like to have your whole life crumble and live in pain, please understand our situation and, although I understand that the police investigators may be overwhelmed with many tasks, I would appreciate it greatly if you could expedite the process for the truth to be transparent.
I also dare to appeal to the Ministry of National Defense and other authorities. I earnestly request that you investigate the death of our son, relieve the suffering of former Marine Corps investigation team leader Park Jung-hoon, and grant bold leniency. The rainy season is approaching. I hope you promptly establish the preventive measures for recurrence that we promised, so that our soldiers will not suffer tragedies again, and I wish that Soo-geun will be able to revive in the Marine Corps he loved so much. Lastly, I request that the police investigation be concluded before the first anniversary of our son’s passing, and the cause and truth of our son’s sacrifice be revealed, so that the dispute over our son’s sacrifice can be resolved, and we can spend the rest of our lives in mourning for our son alone.
June 11, 2024, Chae Soo-geun’s mother”