Ex-Marine commander gets 3 years in prison in appeal for soldier's death

The Seoul High Court has sentenced former Marine Corps Division Commander Im Seong-geun to three years in prison, upholding the first instance ruling for his involvement in the death of Private Chae during a flood relief operation in Yecheon County last year. Im was accused of ordering a dangerous search for missing persons in a dangerous water zone, leading to Private Chae's drowning. The appellate court affirmed the lower court's findings that Im's "offensive search" directive and his encouragement of performance, coupled with criticism, induced the risky underwater search. The court also found Im violated his duty of care by not taking necessary safety measures, such as providing safety equipment, after seeing media reports of the underwater search. Furthermore, the court ruled that Im effectively controlled the operation despite the transfer of operational control to the Army's 50th Division, thus violating military law regarding command authority. While Im's sentence remained unchanged, the appellate court overturned a portion of his conviction related to continuing the operation despite the 50th Division's withdrawal order. The court cited testimony from the former 7th Brigade commander, who stated the decision to continue was made independently due to the urgency and the presence of grieving families. The court acknowledged the defendants' pressure to complete missions during a disaster but stressed the gravity of the outcome and the need for legal accountability. Private Chae's mother, present at the sentencing, expressed profound grief and disappointment, stating her hope for severe punishment to prevent future tragedies had been shattered. She conveyed her inability to face her son's memorial and her feeling of utter despair. The case has been under investigation for over two years, involving multiple investigative bodies and a special prosecutor, highlighting the complex and sensitive nature of the proceedings.

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I prayed every night for severe punishment so that there would be no second or third son like mine, and I endured with a sliver of hope. But how can this be? The hearts of parents who have buried their children are broken once again.