Overview

• Lee Myeong-hyeon determined that the insubordination indictment against Park constituted an abuse of prosecutorial power and dismissed the military prosecutors’ appeal.
• A district court had acquitted Park in June after finding he lawfully referred his initial flood probe findings to civilian police despite orders to delay.
• Park was removed from his post in August 2023 after leading an internal investigation into Cpl. Chae Su-geun’s death during a July 2023 flood rescue mission.
• The Marine Corps said Park will be formally reinstated on Friday, restoring his rank and investigative duties.
• The case underscores debates over civilian oversight and the independence of military investigations in South Korea.