Latest news with #NationalSecurityOffice
The Star
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
South Korea's Defence Ministry, National Security Office searched in young Marine's death probe
Investigators from the special counsel team arrive at the Defence Ministry headquarters, which shares a compound with the presidential office in Yongsan-gu, central Seoul, to execute a search and seizure warrant on Thursday. - Photo: Yonhap SEOUL: The special counsel team on Thursday (July 10) conducted a search and seizure operation at the Ministry of National Defence and the presidential National Security Office as part of an investigation into allegations that senior officials intervened in a probe into the 2023 death of a young Marine. The team, led by special counsel Lee Myung-hyun, executed search and seizure warrants targeting the Defence Ministry's Policy Office, Spokesperson's Office and Military Advisor's Office, as well as the National Security Office under the presidential office — all located within the same compound in Yongsan-gu, central Seoul. The special counsel was formally launched in June under the administration of President Lee Jae Myung. Lee Myung-hyun, a former prosecutor, was appointed to lead the investigation. The raids are part of an investigation into whether former President Yoon Suk Yeol exerted pressure to block a police referral in the case of Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who died during a flood rescue operation in July 2023. He drowned after entering a fast‑flowing river in Yecheon County, North Gyeongsang Province, without a life jacket — reportedly following an order from the 1st Marine Division headquarters prioritising unit attire over proper rescue equipment. The case quickly drew public criticism of the military's leadership. Amid the growing backlash, Yoon reportedly became angry. On July 31, he was briefed on an internal Marine Corps report that named eight officers, including 1st Marine Division commander Maj. Gen. Lim Seong-geun, as responsible. Yoon then allegedly called then-Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup to delay the case's referral to police, saying, "Who would take division commander jobs if we punish them over this?" The special counsel is seeking evidence on how those instructions were delivered and whether they led to the alteration of the Marine investigators' findings. They are also reviewing internal communications, media response documents and meeting records. Among those under investigation are former Defence Minister Lee, former presidential defense secretary Im Ki-hoon, and former National Security Office Deputy Director Kim Tae-hyo, who has been summoned for questioning Friday. "The ministry is actively coordinating with the special counsel team's investigation," the Defence Ministry said in a written statement issued Thursday. Meanwhile, Col. Park Jeong-hoon — the Marine investigator who initially led the probe into Cpl. Chae's death and was later dismissed for defying ministry instructions by handing the case over to police — is set to return to his former post as head of the Marine Corps investigative unit Friday. Park was indicted for insubordination and defamation in October 2023 but was acquitted earlier this year. The Marine Corps announced it would reinstate him after the special counsel withdrew its appeal Thursday. - The Korea Herald/ANN
Korea Herald
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Special counsel raids defense ministry, nat'l security office in Marine death probe
Special Prosecutor Lee Myeong-hyeon's team on Thursday raided the defense ministry and the presidential National Security Office as part of an investigation into allegations that top military officials and the presidential office intervened in an initial probe of the 2023 death of a young Marine. The team reportedly sent investigators to the NSO, the ministry's spokesperson's room, and other places and residences of those involved in the allegations in the morning to secure evidence. The team has been investigating the allegations that former President Yoon Suk Yeol vented his anger and took issue with the results of the military's investigation into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who was swept away by a swollen stream during a search for torrential rain victims in July 2023. At that time, Yoon allegedly became "enraged," saying "Who would be willing to be a division commander if he is punished for an incident like this?" The team reportedly plans to seize NSO meeting minutes related to Yoon's alleged resentment and materials on the defense ministry's responses to media reports on the Marine's death. During a briefing, Assistant Special Prosecutor Jeong Min-young said the team will "look into what kind of contact the involved parties made via cell phones and other means," adding they will continue to do their utmost to determine the truth behind the allegations. Earlier in the day, the presidential office said it will actively cooperate with the ongoing investigation into the NSO. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Defense Ministry, National Security Office raided in Marine death probe
Marine investigator dismissed for defying ministry instructions returns The special counsel team on Thursday raided the Ministry of National Defense and the presidential National Security Office as part of an investigation into allegations that senior military and presidential officials intervened in the initial probe into the 2023 death of a young Marine. The team, led by Special Prosecutor Lee Myung-hyun, executed search and seizure warrants targeting the Defense Ministry's Policy Office, Spokesperson's Office and Military Advisor's Office, as well as the National Security Office under the presidential office — all located within the same compound in Yongsan-gu, central Seoul. The special counsel was formally launched in June under the administration of President Lee Jae Myung. Lee Myung-hyun, a former prosecutor, was appointed to lead the investigation. The raids are part of an investigation into whether former President Yoon Suk Yeol exerted pressure to block a police referral in the case of Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who died during a flood rescue operation in July 2023. He drowned after entering a fast‑flowing river in Yecheon County, North Gyeongsang Province, without a life jacket — reportedly following an order from the 1st Marine Division headquarters prioritizing unit attire over proper rescue equipment. The case quickly drew public criticism of the military's leadership. Amid the growing backlash, Yoon reportedly became angry. On July 31, he was briefed on an internal Marine Corps report that named eight officers, including 1st Marine Division Cmdr. Maj. Gen. Lim Seong-geun, as responsible. Yoon then allegedly called then-Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup to delay the case's referral to police, saying, "Who would take division commander jobs if we punish them over this?" The special counsel is seeking evidence on how those instructions were delivered and whether they led to the alteration of the Marine investigators' findings. They are also reviewing internal communications, media response documents and meeting records. Among those under investigation are former Defense Minister Lee, former presidential defense secretary Im Ki-hoon, and former National Security Office Deputy Director Kim Tae-hyo, who has been summoned for questioning on Friday. "The ministry is actively coordinating with the special counsel team's investigation," the Defense Ministry said in a written statement issued Thursday. Meanwhile, Col. Park Jeong-hoon — the Marine investigator who initially led the probe into Cpl. Chae's death and was later dismissed after defying ministry instructions by handing the case over to police — is set to return to his former post as head of the Marine Corps investigative unit on Friday. Park was indicted for insubordination and defamation in October 2023 but was acquitted earlier this year. The Marine Corps announced it would reinstate him after the special counsel withdrew its appeal on Thursday.
Korea Herald
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Special counsel raids defense ministry, natl. security office in Marine death probe
Special Prosecutor Lee Myeong-hyeon's team on Thursday raided the defense ministry and the presidential National Security Office as part of an investigation into allegations that top military officials and the presidential office intervened in an initial probe of the 2023 death of a young Marine. The team reportedly sent investigators to the NSO, the ministry's spokesperson's room, and other places and residences of those involved in the allegations in the morning to secure evidence. The team has been investigating the allegations that former President Yoon Suk Yeol vented his anger and took issue with the results of the military's investigation into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who was swept away by a swollen stream during a search for torrential rain victims in July 2023. The team reportedly plans to seize NSO meeting minutes related to Yoon's alleged resentment and materials on the defense ministry's responses to media reports on the Marine's death. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
09-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Wi, Rubio agree on swift Lee-Trump summit, date undecided
Seoul and Washington have found common ground on holding a bilateral summit between South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump at an early date, according to Lee's security advisor on Wednesday. This follows the United States' notifying South Korea on Monday that it was among 14 countries which had failed to reach a deal on tariff and non-tariff matters and therefore would be subject to a steep hike of import duties on imports to the US. Wi Sung-lac, director of the presidential National Security Office, briefed reporters Wednesday evening after returning from the US. He said he had met with White House National Security Adviser Marco Rubio and proposed a Korea-US summit be held in the near future "to expedite the process of reaching mutually beneficial agreements on various pertaining issues." "Rubio also expressed his agreement," Wi said, adding the two agreed to continue to communicate closely in the future and discuss pending issues between Korea and the US and ways to develop the alliance. When asked about the possible date for the formal meeting between Lee and Trump, Wi said the two countries had 'stopped short of reaching a specific date," adding that the ideal timing for the summit would be when a consensus was reached regarding the range of matters to discuss. Wi revealed that he had met Rubio, who also serves as the US Secretary of State, and Allison Hooker, undersecretary of state for political affairs. Wi said the meetings did not address the possibility of renegotiating a defense cost-sharing agreement, and therefore ruled out chances of renegotiation. However, matters of national security, such as the chances of Seoul increasing its defense spending, are being negotiated within the broader perspective of bilateral relations, Wi added.
