Former President Yoon Suk Yeol has appeared for questioning about the death of a Marine corporal during a heavy rain search in 2023.

A prison vehicle carrying Yoon arrived at special counsel Lee Myeong-hyeon’s office in southern Seoul at 9:47 a.m.

Though the special counsel team typically requires high-profile suspects to enter through the lobby on the first floor, Yoon was permitted to enter through the underground parking lot at his lawyers' request due to security concerns.

Yoon, who faces charges of abuse of power and aiding a suspect, stands accused of interfering with a military investigation into the death of a Marine during a rescue mission.

Prosecutors believe Yoon ordered that Lim Seong-geun, former commander of the Marine Corps' First Division, be removed from the list of suspects included in an initial report.

Prosecutors say Yoon also helped former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup evade investigation by naming him ambassador to Australia in March 2024.