Ex-Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup appears for questioning as suspect in Marine death probe

Former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup arrives at special counsel Lee Myeong-hyeon's office in southern Seoul, Sept. 17. Yonhap

Former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup appeared before a special counsel team Tuesday to be questioned as a suspect over allegations of government interference in a military probe into the death of a young Marine in 2023.

Lee arrived at special counsel Lee Myeong-hyeon's office in southern Seoul, marking his second appearance before the team since its launch in July to investigate allegations that the initial suspects of Cpl. Chae Su-geun's death in July 2023 were cleared after the alleged interference.

"(I) will sincerely undergo the questioning," Lee said as he entered the office without responding to reporters' questions.

Lee, who served as defense minister at the time of Chae's death, initially signed off on the Marine Corps' probe results before later rescinding them after a call with former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Special prosecutors questioned Lee as a witness last week over suspicions of receiving help to allegedly avoid an earlier investigation into the alleged government interference when he left the country last year after his appointment as ambassador to Australia.

Lee reportedly told special prosecutors that Yoon had proposed an ambassadorship or a special envoy role to him.

Meanwhile, former Marine Corps Commandant Kim Kye-hwan also appeared before the special counsel team Tuesday to be questioned for the sixth time as a suspect in the case.

Chae died after being swept away in a swollen stream during a search mission for victims of heavy rains, without wearing proper safety equipment, such as a life vest.