Seoul - Amid swirling speculation over his abrupt return from Canberra, South Korean Ambassador to Australia, Lee Jong-sup, has engaged in meetings with key ministers since arriving back in Seoul.
According to Yonhap News Agency, The discussions with the ministers of foreign affairs, defense, and industry occurred shortly after Lee's unexpected return to the country, sparking widespread debate over the timing and reasons for his homecoming.
Lee's arrival back in Seoul, just 11 days after assuming his ambassadorial role in Australia, comes amid growing scrutiny over his appointment and subsequent departure. This scrutiny intensified following revelations that he was subject to an investigation for allegedly interfering in a military probe into the death of a Marine last year.
The Foreign Ministry had previously stated that Lee's return was to attend a defense cooperation meeting with ambassadors from six countries, including Australia. However, the announcement led to speculation that the meeting was hastily arranged to provide Lee with a pretext for returning home amidst deteriorating public sentiment ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for April 10.
Adding to the controversy, Lee arrived in Seoul four days before the planned meeting of ambassadors, raising questions about his activities in the interim and whether this period could be officially recognized as serving public duty under regulations for public servants on overseas assignments.
On Friday, the Foreign Ministry clarified that Lee's schedule since his return was related to the upcoming ambassadors' meeting. The ministry confirmed that Lee had separate meetings with the minister of defense on March 21 and with the ministers of industry and foreign affairs on March 22. Lee is expected to continue meeting with government officials and top envoys from the six countries involved in defense cooperation in Seoul throughout the next week.
A ministry official indicated that the meetings Lee has conducted and will conduct are preparatory discussions for Monday's defense cooperation meeting, implying that Lee's stay in Seoul will be acknowledged as part of his official duties.