New envoy to Australia submits copy of credentials amid appointment row
The then-National Defense Minister and Korea's new ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup attends Legislation and Judiciary Committee meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Sept. 13, 2023. Newsis
Korea's new ambassador to Canberra has presented a copy of his credentials to Australia, the foreign ministry said Wednesday, amid controversy over his alleged influence-peddling case related to the death of a young Marine last year.
Lee Jong-sup, who served as defense minister from 2022 to 2023, left for Australia on Sunday without receiving the original letter of credence from President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The foreign ministry said Lee submitted a copy of the letter Tuesday during his meeting with Arthur Spyrou, chief of protocol at the Australian department of foreign affairs and trade.
As he has submitted the copy, Lee can carry out his diplomatic activities as the ambassador before presenting the original letter.
Lee has been a subject in a probe by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials in connection with the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who died in July last year while on a search mission amid heavy downpours.
The anti-corruption investigation office has been looking into allegations that Lee exerted influence to hold off the findings of an internal probe by the Marines on Chae's death. (Yonhap)