Ex-Defense Minister Lee summoned for questioning next week in Marine death probe
Former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup is seen during meeting of key envoys on defense industry cooperation held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul, March 28, 2024. Yonhap
A special counsel team has summoned former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup to appear for questioning next week over allegations of government interference in a military probe into the death of a young Marine in 2023, officials said Wednesday.
Lee will appear before special counsel Lee Myeong-hyeon's team to be questioned as a witness next Thursday, his lawyer said, marking his first appearance at the team's office since its launch in July.
The team has been investigating allegations that the initial suspects of the probe into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun in July 2023 were cleared after alleged interference by high-ranking officials of the then Yoon Suk Yeol administration.
Lee, who served as defense minister at the time, is expected to be questioned about instructions he received over the case. Lee had initially signed off on the results of the probe but later rescinded it after former President Yoon allegedly took issue with them.
The former minister has also been accused of leaving the country last year to avoid an investigation by anti-corruption investigators.
In March last year, Lee left the country after being appointed as ambassador to Australia despite an investigation by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials over the allegations surrounding the probe into Chae's death.
Lee returned shortly after amid growing controversy over his departure.
Meanwhile, former Vice Defense Minister Shin Beom-chul appeared before the special counsel team Wednesday to be questioned about the case.