Key suspect questioned in probe of alleged interference in Marine death inquiry
SEOUL, April 26 (Yonhap) -- The anti-corruption investigation office called in a key suspect for questioning Friday as part of an investigation into allegations that presidential and defense officials had interfered in a sensitive military inquiry concerning the on-duty death of a Marine last year.
Yoo Jae-eun, a legal affairs official at the defense ministry, appeared at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, with a lawyer to face questioning.
The probe was launched after the Marines' former top investigator, Col. Park Jung-hun, lodged a complaint against Yoo and another defense ministry official last year, accusing them of exerting undue influence in his handling of the inquiry involving a young Marine who died during a mission to search for civilian victims of heavy downpours last summer.
While the inquiry was under way, Yoo allegedly called Park several times asking him not to identify suspects, charges or other details in the inquiry result.
She was also accused of involvement in the defense ministry's prosecution illegally retrieving inquiry findings that Park's team had referred to the police, without obtaining a seizure warrant.
Park spearheaded the inquiry into what had contributed to the conscript's tragic death and who were responsible amid criticism that the search mission proceeded despite apparent safety risks and without proper safety gear.
The CIO has reportedly secured records of phone calls Yoo held with Lee Shi-won, presidential secretary for public discipline, on the day the inquiry findings were retrieved from the police.
Lee Jong-sup, who served as defense minister at that time, later said that he was informed of the retrieval after it took place, sparking suspicions that Yoo may have acted upon orders from higher levels, possibly including the presidential office.
The defense ministry maintains that no undue pressure has been exerted and the retrieval was in response to Park disobeying an order to hold off the inquiry findings.
After questioning Yoo, the CIO is expected to summon higher-ranking former ministry officials, including Lee.
pbr@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
Indonesia proposes cutting payment for joint fighter jet project with S. Korea to one-third
-
S. Korea's working-age population to dip nearly 10 mln by 2044 amid low births
-
N.K. leader calls on public security officials to 'firmly defend' state unity
-
(Yonhap Interview) U.S. will do 'all' it can to back S. Korea in case of China's economic coercion: official
-
S. Korea, China in final stage of talks on FM Cho's visit to Beijing
-
Only 34 pct of S. Korean elites favor nuclearization: CSIS poll
-
Yoon's approval rating falls for 3 weeks straight to 30.2 pct
-
Disagreement over ambassador, presidential aide opens up fresh rift between Yoon, PPP leader
-
Political parties ramp up campaign efforts amid shifting opinion polls
-
(News Focus) U.S. focus on 'interim' steps with N. Korea raises questions about policy direction