"Prosecutors' Office Also Allows Departure... Will Comply with Summons Requests Anytime"
On the 18th, the Presidential Office criticized Ambassador Lee Jong-seop to Australia, who is under investigation by the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Division (PCC) for alleged external pressure on the investigation of the 'Marine Corps member death case' during his tenure as Minister of National Defense, stating, "He will respond immediately to the PCC's summons request at any time, and it is highly inappropriate for the head of an overseas diplomatic mission to enter the country and just wait around when the PCC is not even ready to conduct an investigation or issue a summons."
On the same day, the Presidential Office distributed a 'Presidential Office stance on current issues' to the media, reiterating the position that "the appointment of former Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop as Ambassador to Australia was a legitimate personnel decision made in light of security cooperation among Korea, the U.S., Japan, and Australia in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as large-scale defense exports to Australia."
The Presidential Office stated, "During the vetting process for this ambassador, after reviewing the allegations, it was determined that there was absolutely no issue, and the PCC has not requested a summons even once in the six months following the complaint."
It continued, "Before departing for his ambassadorial post, the ambassador voluntarily visited the PCC and was investigated for about four hours, and he said he would return to Korea for questioning whenever summoned," adding, "The PCC also said it would notify him of a summons once the next investigation date was prepared."
Furthermore, the Presidential Office clarified that not only did the Ministry of Justice lift the travel ban, but the PCC also granted permission for him to leave the country, allowing him to assume his post in Australia.
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