Im Sung-keun, the former commander of the Marine Corps 1st Division, has been sentenced to three years in prison for his role in the duty-related death of Corporal Chae Soo-geun during a rescue operation in July 2023.
On May 8, the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 22, led by Judge Jo Hyung-woo, found Im guilty of duty-related manslaughter and violating military law. This sentence is two years lighter than the five-year term sought by the special prosecutor's team investigating the case.
Co-defendants Park Sang-hyun, former commander of the 7th Brigade, and Choi Jin-kyu, former artillery battalion commander, received prison sentences of one year and six months each. Lee Yong-min, another former artillery battalion commander, was sentenced to ten months in prison, while Jang Soo-man, the on-site commander, received an eight-month sentence with a two-year probation.
Im was charged for failing to provide safety equipment, such as life jackets, to his troops, including Corporal Chae, who died during a submerged search operation in Yecheon, North Gyeongsang Province.
The court found all major charges against Im to be valid. It stated, "If the defendant had simply instructed through Park not to enter the water, the Marines would not have conducted the underwater search. Had they been equipped with the proper gear, the victims could have been rescued quickly." The court emphasized that there was a clear causal link between Im's negligence and the tragic outcome.
Additionally, the court ruled that despite a command transferring operational control to the Army, Im continued to exercise command authority by directing the search methods and on-site guidance. The court noted, "Im's directive to 'probe suspicious areas' rather than conducting reconnaissance from the road was interpreted by subordinate commanders as a direct order to enter the water."
The court criticized Im for being aware of the underwater search but failing to prohibit it or secure safety equipment, stating, "His focus on results disregarded the lives and safety of his troops, leading to a horrific accident."
In explaining the sentencing, the court highlighted a troubling trend where only lower-ranking commanders are held accountable for such incidents. It pointed out that in this case, a senior commander recognized specific risks yet issued orders that exacerbated those dangers. The court noted that Im attempted to shift blame to subordinates and destroy evidence after the incident, causing significant distress to the victims' families, which warranted a severe penalty.
In contrast, the court considered Jang's position as difficult due to the unreasonable orders from superiors and noted that the victims' families did not seek punishment for him.
This case marks the first trial initiated by the special prosecutor's team since its establishment. It is also the first instance of a ruling in a case investigated by the Marine Corps special prosecutor's office.
While Im received a prison sentence, the Marine Corps Reserve Association expressed disappointment over the lighter sentence compared to the special prosecutor's request. Following the verdict, the association held a press conference outside the courthouse, stating, "Considering the irreparable damage to the deceased and their families, the public outrage, and the tarnishing of the Marine Corps' honor and trust in national defense, this ruling cannot be seen as severe enough."
They added, "The Marine Corps is respected and admired by the public because it does not abandon its comrades. If the Marine Corps is characterized by shifting blame for a comrade's death, attempting to save oneself, and betraying fellow soldiers, then we no longer wish to be part of it. We urge the Marine Corps Command to reflect deeply on this disgraceful incident and offer a sincere apology."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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