Former Marine Commandant Faces Court Over Alleged Cover-Up in Marine’s Death

Former Marine Corps Commandant Kim Kye-hwan (center) appeared at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul on Tuesday for an arrest warrant hearing. (Yonhap)

Former Marine Corps Commandant Kim Kye-hwan attended court on Tuesday for a hearing to review the warrant for his arrest. The charges against him allege that he, along with other high-ranking officials, interfered with the initial investigation into the death of a young Marine in 2023.

Kim, a retired three-star general, is accused of meddling in the military investigation into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun. Chae died while searching for victims during torrential rains in July 2023, without essential safety equipment such as a life jacket.

Upon arriving at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul, Kim remained silent when questioned by reporters. This court appearance comes just four days after a special counsel team requested the warrant, charging him with perjury.

The team is investigating claims that former President Yoon Suk Yeol became enraged during a meeting with senior presidential officials in July 2023. It is alleged that Yoon’s outburst followed a briefing on the initial investigation, which implicated a senior Marine commander in Chae’s death.

Kim is accused of having informed the lead Marine investigator about Yoon’s reaction to the investigation. However, the former Marine commandant denied making such statements in his testimonies before the National Assembly and in court.

The special counsel has charged Kim with multiple instances of perjury and is pushing for his arrest, citing concerns about potential evidence tampering. (Yonhap)