Hwang Yu-seong, former commander of the Defense Security Command, and Moon Yeon-cheol, former head of the Marine Corps' intelligence unit, are facing allegations of involvement in a cover-up related to the death of Marine Chae Sang-byeong. Both officials are attending a warrant review hearing.
Judge Lee Jong-rok of the Seoul Central District Court is conducting the hearing for Colonel Moon at 10:10 a.m. on August 12. Hwang's hearing is scheduled to begin at 2:10 p.m. The court is expected to decide on their arrest warrants by this evening.
Moon and Hwang are accused of participating in the handling of the case surrounding the death of Marine Chae.
The Special Prosecutor's Team investigating the case, led by Lee Myung-hyun, has gathered evidence indicating that former President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed anger during a senior secretary meeting at the presidential office on July 31, 2023, after receiving initial investigation results regarding Chae's death. Following this meeting, Hwang reportedly communicated with former military advisor Park Jin-hee.
Hwang is also said to have had subsequent conversations with Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop, National Security Office Director Cho Tae-yong, Deputy Director Lim Jong-deok, and Presidential Office Secretary for Public Integrity Lee Si-won.
Colonel Moon is alleged to have acted as a liaison between the Defense Security Command and the Marine Corps during his assignment, preparing reports on the situation, including the withholding and retrieval of initial investigation records after Yoon's outburst, as well as the re-transfer of the case to the Gyeongbuk Police Agency following a review by the Defense Investigation Headquarters.
The Comprehensive Special Prosecutor's Team, led by Kwon Chang-young, took over the investigation from the Special Prosecutor for the deceased Marine and summoned Hwang as a witness in May. On August 7, they requested arrest warrants for both Hwang and Moon on charges of abuse of power.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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