Seoul: Prosecutors raided South Korea's Defense Ministry and the presidential National Security Office (NSO) as part of an investigation into the death of a Marine during a rescue operation in 2023, local media reported.

According to Anadolu Agency, Special Prosecutor Lee Myeong-hyeon's team conducted the raids amid allegations that top military officials and the presidential office intervened in the initial probe into the death of Lance Corporal Chae Su-geun. Chae was swept away in a swollen stream during a search for torrential rain victims in July 2023.

The investigation also focuses on the alleged interference of former President Yoon Suk Yeol in the case. Military investigators had previously concluded that Lim Seong-geun, then-commander of the Marine Corps 1st Division, along with seven other officers, bore responsibility for the incident. They sought to transfer these individuals to police on negligent homicide and other charges.

The prosecution team reportedly aims to seize NSO meeting minutes related to Yoon's alleged dissatisfaction with the military's investigation results and materials on the Defense Ministry's responses to media reports on the death.

On the same day as the raids, Yoon skipped his insurrection trial in a local court in Seoul following his arrest over a failed attempt to impose martial law. Yoon's legal team had submitted a written request for his absence prior to the trial's commencement. He is currently held at the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang after the court issued an arrest warrant over his alleged attempt to impose martial law. The charges also include irregularities in convening only select Cabinet members for a meeting before the Dec. 3 declaration.