Revelations on Wednesday that President Yoon Suk-yeol may have intervened in the investigation into the death of a South Korean marine have renewed scrutiny into his actions and fueled accusations of a coverup, putting at risk not only public trust in government but the trajectory of ROK politics.

Corporal Chae Su-geun died in July 2023 while on a rescue mission during the country’s flood season. Investigations revealed that Chae and other marines had not been issued life vests during the mission, leading to his death by drowning after being swept up by currents.