Global Economic Times

Former Minister Lee Jong-sup "Admits Phone Call with Yoon Immediately Before Suspending Transfer of Chae Sang-byeong Case… But Claims No Direct Orders": Hwang Sujin Reporter / Updated : 2025-07-21 18:42:37

Former Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-sup today, the 21st, admitted to having a phone conversation with former President Yoon Suk-yeol immediately before suspending the transfer of the "Chae Sang-byeong death case" investigation results to the police. This confirms that the caller of the '02-800-7070' number, which had emerged as a key point in the 'investigation pressure' allegations, was former President Yoon. However, former Minister Lee denies responsibility, claiming he received no direct orders to exclude former Marine Corps 1st Division Commander Lim Sung-geun from being a suspect or to suspend the case transfer. As a result, the direction of the special prosecutor's investigation is now drawing keen attention.

Former Minister Lee Jong-sup's side stated today, "I remember former President Yoon called on July 31, 2023, and expressed concerns about the military organization." They added, "We submitted a written opinion to the special prosecutor on the 18th, stating that I ordered the suspension of the case transfer after comprehensively considering all these circumstances."

The controversial phone call was made around 11:54 AM on July 31, 2023, from the number '02-800-7070'. Immediately after receiving this call, former Minister Lee called former Marine Corps Commandant Kim Kye-hwan to instruct him to suspend the transfer of the Chae Sang-byeong death case to the police, which he had approved the day before, cancel parliamentary and press briefings, and order former Marine Corps 1st Division Commander Lim Sung-geun to report for normal duty. Due to this, suspicions have continuously been raised that the person who made the call at that time was the "pinnacle" of the 'investigation pressure' related to the Chae Sang-byeong death case.

However, in the written opinion submitted to the special prosecutor, former Minister Lee asserted, "I was never reprimanded by former President Yoon in a way that would feel like rage, nor did I receive instructions to 'exclude former Commander Lim' or 'suspend the case transfer'." He emphasized that the order to suspend the transfer of the Chae Sang-byeong death case was his own judgment and decision, conveying that it was based on his own assessment following the President's "expression of concern for the military organization," rather than a direct order from the President.

Meanwhile, the Chae Sang-byeong special prosecutor on the 18th again summoned former First Deputy Director of the National Security Office Kim Tae-hyo, known as a 'powerful figure' in the Yoon Suk-yeol government, whom they had investigated as a suspect on the 11th, for additional questioning regarding the meeting at that time. It is reported that former Deputy Director Kim, who allegedly admitted to former President Yoon's 'rage' during the first investigation, provided more specific testimony about the meeting situation during the second investigation. If former Minister Lee's claims and former Deputy Director Kim's testimony conflict, the special prosecutor's investigation is expected to enter a new phase. The special prosecutor plans to focus on uncovering the truth of the investigation pressure by comprehensively analyzing former Minister Lee's claims, former Deputy Director Kim's testimony, other related parties' testimonies, and objective evidence.

Former Minister Lee's admission of the phone call is highly significant as it formally establishes a direct link with the President, which had only been a suspicion until now. However, with former Minister Lee strongly denying any direct orders, a fierce legal battle is anticipated over the subtle boundary between "expression of concern" and "direct instruction." To verify former Minister Lee's claims, the special prosecutor is likely to intensively examine whether the specific contents of the call at the time can be secured, as well as former Minister Lee's actions after the call and the testimonies of related parties. The investigation pressure allegations in the Chae Sang-byeong death case now stand at a crucial watershed in revealing the direct involvement of former President Yoon.