Key facts
- A former Marine commander, Lim Seong-geun, has appealed his three-year sentence.
- The sentence is related to the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun during a 2023 search mission.
- The appellate court had previously upheld the lower court's ruling.
- Lim was found guilty of occupational negligence resulting in death.
- Another defendant, Park Sang-hyun, is also appealing his 1 1/2-year sentence.
A former Marine commander has appealed a three-year sentence that was upheld by an appellate court in connection with the death of a young Marine during a search mission for heavy rain victims in 2023. Lim Seong-geun, a retired two-star general and former head of the 1st Marine Division, submitted the appeal to the Seoul High Court.
The appellate court had previously upheld the lower court's ruling of a three-year sentence against Lim. The incident involved the death of 20-year-old Cpl. Chae Su-geun in a swollen stream during an operation in Yecheon in July 2023. A special counsel team had initially sought a five-year sentence for Lim.
On Friday, the appeals court recognized Lim's failure to fulfill his duty to protect the safety of his Marines, finding him guilty of occupational negligence resulting in death. Park Sang-hyun, former leader of the 7th Marine Brigade who oversaw field operations at the scene, is also appealing his 1 1/2-year sentence.