Marine Corps Special Prosecutor to Investigate Cho Tae-yong for the Third Time Tomorrow... "Further Confirmation on Encrypted Phone"

First and Second Investigations Lasted Nearly 30 Hours... Focusing on Recovery of Marine Chae's Case Records

"Investigation into Lim Seong-geun's Negligent Homicide Virtually Concluded"... Possibility of Indictment

'VIP's Rage' Acknowledged by Cho Tae-yong and Lim Ki-hoon, Testifying Simultaneously to Marine Special Prosecutor

The special prosecutor's team, led by Lee Myung-hyun, which is investigating allegations of external pressure and cover-up in the Marine Chae case, will summon former National Security Advisor Cho Tae-yong for a third time on the 13th. Cho is known to have been deeply involved in the recovery of the case records at the time.

At a regular briefing held at the special prosecutor's office in Seocho-dong, Seoul, on the 12th, Deputy Special Prosecutor Jung Min-young stated that Cho will be summoned and investigated as a suspect on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of the exercise of rights.

This will be his third suspect interrogation, following those on the 29th of last month and the 8th of this month. The previous investigations were intensive, lasting approximately 17 hours and 12 hours respectively, totaling nearly 30 hours. The special prosecutor's team deemed further investigation necessary.

Deputy Special Prosecutor Jung explained, "This is a process of asking supplementary questions based on the content of the previous investigations," adding, "We will likely supplement information related to the encrypted phone and communication records that we have secured and need to further confirm."

Recently, the special prosecutor's team secured call records from encrypted phones used by former President Yoon Suk-yeol, First Lady Kim Keon-hee, and Cho Tae-yong between July and August 2023, the period of the Marine Chae case. The plan is to further investigate Cho based on the communication patterns identified in these records.

Cho Tae-yong, who held top positions in the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, including ambassador to the US, National Security Advisor, and Director of the National Intelligence Service, admitted to the "VIP's rage" in his testimony to the special prosecutor, two years later.

The special prosecutor's team has found evidence that Cho was deeply involved in the recovery of Marine Chae's case records and plans to focus its investigation on the former President's reactions and directives at the time.

Meanwhile, the special prosecutor's team announced that it has virtually completed its investigation into the charges of negligent homicide against former Marine Corps Commander Lim Seong-geun, who was questioned the previous day.

Deputy Special Prosecutor Jung stated, "Regarding the charges of negligent homicide, he refused to answer most questions, and we believe there is no significant value in obtaining further statements on this matter," adding, "You can consider the investigation into these charges to be largely concluded."

Former Commander Lim was first investigated by the special prosecutor's team on the 2nd of last month, when the investigation officially commenced. He has been investigated a total of three times, including on the 7th and up to the previous day.

Former Commander Lim is under special prosecutor investigation for charges of negligent homicide and alleged lobbying efforts. Some speculate that the special prosecutor's team may indict him first on charges of negligent homicide.

Furthermore, the special prosecutor's team confirmed that lawyer Ko Seok, a former military prosecutor and an associate of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, had phone conversations with Lieutenant Colonel Kim Dong-hyuk, who was leading the investigation into Colonel Park Jeong-hoon, during key phases such as the request and denial of arrest warrants.

Deputy Special Prosecutor Jung explained, "We are examining the role lawyer Ko played at the time, and an investigation is likely to take place. We will announce the schedule once it is set." Yonhap News