Colonel Park Jung-hoon, "Promise with (Chae) Su-geun, I will keep it."

Park Jung-hoon, former head of the Marine Corps investigation team, who was indicted in connection with the investigation of the death of Chae Sang-byung, was acquitted in the first trial.

The Central District Military Court in Yongsan, Seoul, sentenced Colonel Park, who was charged with defamation of the name and the name of his boss, today (9th).

The military court said in its ruling that the evidence presented by the military prosecutor alone does not mean that Kim Gye-hwan, the former commander of the Marine Corps, specifically and individually ordered the transfer and holding.

In addition, the order to suspend the transfer of investigative records is not justified because the Marine commander's command and supervision scope does not have the authority to order the suspension of the transfer.

Former head of investigation
Park was indicted on charges of failing to comply with former Marine Corps Commander Kim Gye-hwan's order not to transfer the investigation records of the death of a corporal to the police in July 2023 and defaming former Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop.

The military prosecution had asked Park, the former head of the investigation, to serve three years in prison, the maximum legal sentence for a normal life under the military criminal law.

In response, Park Jung-hoon, the former head of the investigation, has pleaded not guilty, saying that there were allegations of external pressure in the process of transferring the case to the police.

At a press conference after the sentence, Colonel Park Jung-hoon said, "I think today's result was because of the support, support, and support from the people. There is a long and tough way to go in the future, but I will do my best to keep my promise with (Chae) Su-geun without ever being shaken or frustrated. I respect the military judges for making wise and courageous judgments," he said.