Official: Police investigation into death of marine in “final phase”

Citizens hold up banners demanding an investigation by a special prosecutor into alleged government interference in the investigation into the death of a marine at Jeonbuk National University in Jeonju on June 8. Yonhap

Police investigations into the death of a naval recruit during a search operation following a flood last year are in their final stages, a senior police official said on Monday.

The young marine recruit, surnamed Chae, was swept away by a flash flood in July last year while searching for missing flood victims in southeastern Yecheon County. He was found dead half a day later.

Police have so far questioned eight suspects, including former Marine Corps division and battalion commanders, to investigate allegations that Marine conscripts were mobilized for the risky search mission without adequate protective equipment, leading to Chae’s death.

“Several of the people involved have been sufficiently questioned and the investigation process has been completed to some extent,” said Woo Jong-soo, head of the National Investigation Bureau.

Woo said police are currently in the process of deciding what type of criminal charges to file against each suspect.

The objectivity and fairness of the process will be ensured by the convening of an investigation assessment committee composed of experts from both inside and outside the police, he said, adding that the police will “complete the investigation as soon as possible”.

The police investigation has been closely watched as the Democratic Party, the main opposition party, is pushing a bill that would require the appointment of an independent counsel into alleged interference by presidential and defense officials in the Marine Corps’ internal investigation into Chae’s death.

The ruling People Power Party opposes the bill, insisting that the need for a special investigation must be decided after the results of the investigation by the police and the anti-corruption agency, which is conducting a separate probe into the alleged influence peddling. (Yonhap)