Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
Presidential office, anti-corruption agency at odds over ex-defense chief's departure to Australia
Defense Minister-turned-Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup talks to a journalist in Canberra, March 11. Courtesy of MBC
By Kwak Yeon-soo
The presidential office and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) engaged in a blame game Monday, as the anti-corruption agency said it had never approved Defense Minister-turned-Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup to leave the country as he is a key suspect in an investigation into the death of a Marine.
Earlier the same day, the presidential office said it would be "highly inappropriate" for Lee to return home unless he is summoned by the CIO for further questioning.
"Lee left for Australia after not only having his travel ban lifted by the justice ministry but also receiving permission to leave from the CIO," it said in a statement.
In response, the CIO denied allowing Lee to leave the country.
"We have no authority to lift a travel ban and have not granted Lee permission to leave the country," the CIO said in a statement.
The CIO also said that it had submitted its opinion to the justice ministry that Lee's travel ban should be retained.
The presidential office struck back, saying that Lee voluntarily appeared before the CIO for questioning before his departure to Australia and promised to return at any time to face questioning.
"The CIO said it would notify him of the summons, and it appears that the agency is not ready to investigate," a presidential official said.
Lee's appointment as the ambassador to Australia earlier this month has sparked controversy, as he has been under investigation for his alleged involvement in downplaying the military's internal probe concerning the death of a Marine named Chae Su-geun, who died during a search-and-rescue operation in July 2023. Lee was the defense minister at the time.
Lee had been banned from leaving the country since the beginning of this year over an alleged influence-peddling case related to the death, according to the CIO. However, the justice ministry lifted the travel ban that allowed Lee to leave for Australia.
Both the ruling and opposition parties voiced criticism over his appointment.
Han Dong-hoon, interim leader of the ruling People Power Party, called on Lee to immediately return to Korea and face questioning as it is causing a headache for the conservative party ahead of the April 10 general elections.
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea recently submitted a bill calling for a special counsel investigation into the presidential office and the foreign and justice ministries over Lee's departure.
The presidential office said it has no plans to withdraw Lee's appointment, adding he is the perfect fit for expanding cooperation in the arms industry and other security areas.