The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (PCC) summoned and questioned former Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop on the 7th, who was banned from leaving the country amid allegations of external pressure in the investigation of the death of Marine Corporal Chae.
According to legal circles, the PCC's Investigation Division 4 (Chief Prosecutor Lee Dae-hwan) called former Minister Lee as a suspect on charges of abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights. This came just one day after the travel ban on the former minister became public. It is reported that the PCC questioned whether former Minister Lee was involved in the process where the case, in which former Marine 1st Division Commander Lim Seong-geun and others were charged with negligent homicide and transferred to the police, was recalled and re-examined by the Ministry of National Defense prosecution team.
The PCC is investigating allegations that, despite former Marine Investigation Unit Commander Park Jeong-hoon (Colonel) and others lawfully transferring the case against former Division Commander Lim and others to the police on charges of negligent homicide related to Corporal Chae's death, the Ministry of National Defense prosecution team illegally recalled the case. The PCC imposed a travel ban on former Minister Lee in January, but controversy arose when he was appointed Ambassador to Australia on the 4th of this month.
A PCC official stated, "Former Minister Lee has agreed to actively cooperate with the ongoing investigation," but added, "Regarding the travel ban issue, we are not the decision-making body, so it is difficult to comment on the position."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
