Controversy Over Lee Jong-seop's Appointment as Australian Ambassador... Yoon Jae-ok Says "If the Corruption Investigation Office Leaks Investigation Secrets, It Is Election Interference"

"Malicious Media Coverage Amplified by Opposition"
"Not Being Investigated Means Lack of Public Official Qualifications"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Yoon Jae-ok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, expressed regret to the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (PCA) over the leak to the media of the travel ban on Lee Jong-seop, former Minister of National Defense, who was appointed as ambassador to Australia.

At the floor leaders' meeting held at the National Assembly on the 15th, Yoon said, "If the PCA is intentionally leaking investigation secrets, this is not only a very serious crime but also election interference that shakes democracy," and emphasized, "This issue must be thoroughly investigated to prevent recurrence." He added, "What is regrettable is that details known only to the investigative agency and the travel ban facts were leaked to the media, leading certain media outlets to report maliciously and the opposition party to amplify and reproduce the issue," and said, "(This) is no different from the public opinion manipulation that occurs every election."

Former Minister Lee was officially appointed as ambassador to Australia on the 4th, while the investigation into the 'Chae Sang-byeong case investigation pressure suspicion' was ongoing, and was questioned by the PCA three days later. He was appointed ambassador to Australia while under a travel ban. After the travel ban was lifted, he departed for Australia on the 10th.

After the meeting, Floor Leader Yoon also shared his opinion on former Minister Lee with reporters.

When asked whether there was a problem with appointing former Minister Lee in the first place, he replied, "Since there are many areas of cooperation with Australia such as defense and defense industry, they looked for someone who could play a role in those fields, and I understand that former Minister Lee was considered (as ambassador to Australia)." He added, "At that time, the travel ban and similar issues had not been confirmed." He continued, "(Former Minister Lee) is obviously not someone who poses a flight risk, yet the travel ban was unreasonably extended," and said, "Simply being accused is not a reason to not appoint someone."