Former National Security Chief Testifies on VIP Anger Over Marine Investigation

On July 11, Kim Tae-hyo, the former first deputy director of the National Security Office, entered the special prosecutor's office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, to undergo questioning regarding allegations of external pressure in the investigation of a deceased Marine. Reports indicate that Kim testified about an incident involving former President Yoon Suk-yeol, stating that Yoon became angry after receiving a report concerning the late Corporal Chae Soo-geun, which was not on the meeting agenda, before the conclusion of a security meeting held on July 31, 2023.

According to sources, during his questioning by the special prosecutor's team led by Lee Myung-hyun, Kim revealed that he learned about Yoon's anger from former secretary Lim Sung-keun. The investigation is focusing on claims that Yoon expressed outrage after being informed that the Marine Corps investigation team had applied charges of negligent homicide against Lim Sung-keun, who was the commanding officer of Corporal Chae.

The report was presented by former Defense Secretary Lim Gi-hoon, and it is alleged that Yoon questioned, "If we punish for this, who can hold a division commander accountable?" raising suspicions of exerting pressure on the Marine Corps investigation team.

Previously, Kim had stated in the National Assembly that he had not witnessed Yoon's anger, but he changed his stance during the special prosecutor's investigation, providing detailed accounts of the situation. He was questioned from 2:50 PM to 10:10 PM at the special prosecutor's office in Seocho-gu, and afterward, he told reporters that he had answered sincerely.