SEOUL — South Korea's newly appointed ambassador to Australia, Lee Jong-sup, officially took office with a message on the embassy's website on Tuesday, amid a contentious backdrop involving allegations of influence-peddling linked to the death of a Marine last year.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee, who served as South Korea's defense minister from 2022 to 2023, departed for Australia on Sunday following the lifting of a travel ban by the justice ministry.
In his online greeting, Lee emphasized the embassy's role in fostering regional peace and stability, highlighting the denuclearization of North Korea and peace on the Korean Peninsula as key objectives. He acknowledged Australia's historical military support during the Korean War and its significance as a partner sharing core values such as freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. The ambassador underscored the extensive cooperation between the two nations since establishing diplomatic relations in 1961, spanning diplomacy, military, defense, economy, culture, and more, all aimed at maintaining peace and prosperity in the region. Lee's tenure begins under the shadow of an ongoing investigation by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials into his alleged role in obstructing an internal Marine probe into Corporal Chae Su-geun's death during a search mission last year.