Appeal Hearing for Former Marine Corps Investigator Set for April 18

The appeal hearing for former Marine Corps investigation chief Colonel Park Jeong-hoon, who was acquitted of charges related to insubordination and defamation of a superior, is scheduled to begin on April 18. Colonel Park was previously involved in the investigation of a Marine's death during a search operation following heavy rainfall in July 2023. After reporting his findings and suggesting the case be handed over to the police, he received a directive from former Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop to withhold the transfer. Park chose to proceed with the police referral, leading to his prosecution by the Ministry of National Defense's prosecution office in October 2023. However, the Central Military Court ruled in January that Park's actions did not constitute insubordination, as the orders he received were deemed unjustifiable. The court also found insufficient evidence to support the defamation claim against him.