Seoul - The office of President Yoon Suk-yeol has issued a statement regarding the status of the South Korean ambassador to Australia, calling it "highly inappropriate" for him to be summoned back to the country amidst ongoing investigations. The controversy involves Ambassador Lee Jong-sup, formerly the defense minister, who faces allegations related to his handling of an investigation into the death of a South Korean Marine.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the calls for Ambassador Lee's immediate return, primarily advocated by the ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, overlook the procedural aspects of the ongoing investigation by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO). The statement elucidated that Ambassador Lee had already complied with a preliminary inquiry before his diplomatic assignment and affirmed his willingness to cooperate with any further investigative requirements.
The presidential office highlighted Lee's appointment as a strategic decision, reflecting his qualifications and the importance of South Korea's security alliances in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as the defense relations with Australia. The assertion was made to clarify that the ambassador's presence in Australia aligns with broader national security interests and that any requisition by the CIO would be promptly addressed without necessitating his preemptive return.