Former Marine commander sentenced to 3 years again for soldier's death

A South Korean court has sentenced former Marine Corps Division Commander Lim Seong-geun to three years in prison for the second time, upholding the initial ruling in the death of Private Chae Su-geun. The Seoul High Court found Lim guilty of professional negligence leading to death, stating he failed to exercise due care in his duties.

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failed to exercise due care in his duties

The court specifically criticized Lim for directing the use of the public relations team to construct a narrative of his non-responsibility and for attempting to conceal evidence in anticipation of searches. These actions, the court noted, demonstrated a focus on evading accountability rather than addressing the incident.

Private Chae Su-geun died in July 2023 while participating in a search operation for flood victims in Yecheon County. Lim is accused of ordering the search despite inadequate safety precautions and without providing proper protective gear to the soldiers involved.

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focused on evading responsibility and concealing evidence

This second trial's verdict mirrors the first, where Lim also received a three-year sentence. Other field commanders involved in the incident received similar sentences in the initial trial. However, the mother of the deceased private expressed profound grief and dissatisfaction with the court's decision, stating that the sentence felt insufficient given the circumstances of her son's death.

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the sentence is too light