(MENAFN) South Korean prosecutors on Monday requested arrest warrants for former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and four additional individuals amid accusations of government meddling in a military investigation into the death of a young Marine in 2023, according to reports from local news outlets.

A team led by special counsel Lee Myeong-hyeon submitted the request following an inquiry initiated in July into claims that senior officials from the administration of deposed President Yoon Suk Yeol obstructed the investigation, as reported by a news agency.

Marine Lance Corporal Chae Su-geun tragically drowned while participating in a rescue operation for flood victims amid heavy rainfall in Yecheon County in July 2023, after being swept away by powerful currents.

Military investigators determined that Lim Seong-geun, then commander of the Marine Corps 1st Division, along with seven other officers, were responsible for the incident and sought to hand them over to police on charges including negligent homicide.

The investigative team is also probing allegations of Yoon’s interference in the examination of Chae’s death.

Yoon was removed from office in April when the country’s Constitutional Court unanimously upheld his impeachment by the National Assembly, citing his mishandled martial law attempt on December 3.

Should the insurrection accusations be confirmed in court, Yoon could face a life sentence or possibly the death penalty.

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