“No text replies… only phone calls during lunch time”
Former Marine Division Commander Lim Seong-geun, who is suspected of lobbying for a lifeline in connection with the death of Private First Class Chae, has sparked controversy after it was revealed that he sent a text message to his relative, a sitting prosecutor, to seek legal advice during the impeachment hearing for President Yoon Seok-yeol on the 19th.
At the hearing that day, former Chief Lim was asked by National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jeong Cheong-rae whether the person who sent the text message was a “current prosecutor,” to which he replied, “A current prosecutor at the Gwangju High Prosecutors’ Office.” He said that this prosecutor was his “cousin.”
It was confirmed that former division commander Lim sent a text message asking for advice in response to Democratic Party of Korea member Park Gyun-taek’s request to check his cell phone during the hearing that day, which was filmed by reporters.
Former Marine Corps 1st Division Commander Lim Seong-geun is sending a text message to someone during a hearing on a petition regarding the request for the immediate introduction of the impeachment bill against President Yoon Seok-yeol at the 3rd Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 19th. The content appears to be asking for advice on “How much should be legally disclosed when Rep. Park Gyun-taek asks to check the phone?” Newsis
Specifically, the released photo contained a text message asking, “How much of the legal disclosure is required when Rep. Park Gyun-taek asks to check his cell phone?” Former Division Commander Lim stated that while responding to Chairman Jeong’s related questions, he asked for advice on the matter of requesting to check his cell phone, as well as whether or not to swear in witnesses.
Chairman Chung warned, “As stipulated in the National Assembly Testimony Investigation Act, exchanging text messages in real time with a prosecutor who is a current government official rather than legally bringing a lawyer along is a violation of the National Assembly Testimony Investigation Act.” He added, “It is very likely that the prosecutor has violated the Prosecutor’s Code of Ethics. The prosecution can discipline him for this act.”
Former Marine Corps 1st Division Commander Lim Seong-geun leaves the conference room after the hearing on the petition requesting the immediate introduction of a motion to impeach President Yoon Seok-yeol was adjourned at the 3rd Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 19th. Newsis
In response, former division chief Lim explained that he had only sent a text message asking for advice during the hearing and that the prosecutor in question had not sent a reply. He stated, “I did not receive a text message response,” and “(after the hearing was adjourned) we only spoke on the phone during lunch.”
Reporter Seunghwan Kim hwan@segye.com
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