SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea’s ambassador to Australia, Lee Jong-sup, expressed his willingness on Thursday to be questioned by the country’s anti-corruption agency regarding allegations that he attempted to manipulate an investigation into the death of a marine while he was the defence minister last year.
Lee, who recently assumed his role as the head of the embassy in Canberra, flew back to Seoul for official meetings, stating that he denies any wrongdoing and has no intention of evading the investigation.
Speaking to reporters at Incheon airport, Lee mentioned that he will attempt to arrange a meeting with the Corruption Investigation Office during his visit.
“I hope to be able to coordinate a schedule with the Corruption Investigation Office so that there is a chance to attend questioning during my stay,” Lee said.
Some members of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s own political party, as well as opposition lawmakers, have criticized Lee’s appointment, arguing that he should not have been allowed to depart for Australia on March 10 while under investigation.
This criticism comes ahead of parliamentary elections next month, where polls indicate a tight race between Yoon’s People’s Power Party and the liberal opposition Democratic Party.
Yoon’s office has defended Lee’s appointment and departure to Canberra as entirely lawful, emphasizing that Lee has committed to returning to cooperate fully with the investigation.
The corruption agency is looking into allegations that Lee was involved in government efforts to interfere with an investigation into the death of a marine who took part in a search and rescue mission during floods last year.
(Reporting by Jack Kim; Editing by Ed Davies and Miral Fahmy)
