A former Marine commander accused of ordering an unsafe search operation that led to a Marine’s death in 2023 has been placed in pretrial detention.

The Seoul Central District Court early Friday ordered the detention of Lim Seong-geun, former commander of the Marine Corps’ First Division, citing his potential to destroy evidence.

Lim was detained on suspicion of mobilizing Marine conscripts for a search operation in the southeastern city of Yecheon, North Gyeongsang Province, without providing life jackets or other safety equipment, on July 19, 2023. A Marine corporal was swept away by strong currents during the exercise and was later found dead.

However, the court ruled against the detention of former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup, who prosecutors say interfered with an investigation into the Marine’s death.

The court said that although some facts had been substantiated, certain disputed charges would need to be resolved at trial.