▲ In this file photo, Lim Seong-geun, former commander of the Marine Corps 1st Division, appears for questioning at the office of special counsel Lee Myeong-hyeon's team in southern Seoul on Oct. 31, 2025. (Yonhap)

special counsel-ex-commander

Special counsel seeks 5-yr sentence for ex-commander over Marine's death

SEOUL, April 13 (Yonhap) -- A special counsel team on Monday sought a five-year prison term for a former Marine commander on charges of negligently causing the death of a young Marine in 2023.

Lim Seong-geun, former commander of the Marine Corps 1st Division, is accused of ordering search operations for victims of heavy rains in Yecheon, some 160 kilometers southeast of Seoul, in July 2023 without providing life vests and other safety equipment.

Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who was involved in the search operation, died after being swept away in a swollen stream.

"He had a decisive influence (on the accident) as he stressed active search operations over safety," a member of special counsel Lee Myeong-hyeon's team said during the final trial hearing at the Seoul Central District Court.

"Though he was aware of the underwater search conditions through news reports, he turned a blind eye and took none of the necessary measures to ensure safety," he added.

In addition to negligent homicide charges, Lim was also indicted for allegedly disobeying orders to transfer operational control to the Army during the search.

In his final statement, the former commander said he apologizes again to the late Marine's family and acknowledges moral responsibility for the accident but does not believe he deserves criminal punishment.

Chae's mother also spoke during the hearing and requested heavy punishment for Lim, saying she resents him for ordering the search.

In the case of four other Marine officials involved in the operations, the special counsel team sought prison terms ranging from one year to 2 1/2 years.

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