Starting Today: Defense Industry Cooperation Attaches Meeting Schedule Begins
Return to Australia Still 'Uncertain'
Return Expected After May Due to Meeting Preparations
Ambassador Lee Jong-seop to Australia, who is under investigation for allegations of external pressure related to the death of Marine Corporal Chae, returned to South Korea on the 21st through Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport on Yeongjong Island, Incheon, and responded to questions from reporters. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Lee Jong-seop, the Ambassador to Australia who is suspected of exerting external pressure on the investigation into the death of Marine Corporal Chae, began his official domestic schedule on the 25th in connection with the Defense Industry Cooperation Chiefs of Mission Meeting.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense, Ambassador Lee met with Seok Jong-geon, the head of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, on the same day.
He was appointed as Ambassador to Australia while under investigation by the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Division (PCC) for allegations of exerting pressure on the investigation into the death of Marine Corporal Chae, sparking controversy over his 'escape departure.' After public opinion worsened domestically due to suspicions of 'evading investigation,' he returned to Korea on the 21st, just 11 days after his departure, citing attendance at the Defense Industry Cooperation Chiefs of Mission Meeting as the reason.
On the day of his return, he met with Shin Won-sik, the Minister of National Defense, and the following day, he met with Ahn Deok-geun, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Cho Tae-yeol, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, respectively, and began the main meeting schedule from that day.
An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "Within the broad framework of this week's Defense Industry Cooperation Chiefs of Mission Meeting, there will be meetings, visits to related agencies, and inspections of companies," adding, "There will be both individual and group meetings."
Six chiefs of mission from six countries, including Ambassador Lee, will attend this Defense Industry Cooperation Chiefs of Mission Meeting. A joint meeting involving officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and other related ministries is scheduled to be held later this week.
Except for Ambassador Lee, the other five ambassadors will individually meet with heads of related ministries and agencies starting from this day. For example, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol met with the Ambassador to Poland on this day and will meet with the Ambassadors to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Indonesia on the 26th.
Sergeant Chae Mo of the Marine Corps, who died in the line of duty, is suspected of external pressure in the case. Ambassador Lee Jong-seop to Australia, who is under investigation, is boarding a vehicle upon returning to Korea through Incheon International Airport on Yeongjongdo Island, Incheon, on the 21st. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Schedule Still 'Unclear'... Controversy Over Return for General Election
Although Ambassador Lee has started his official domestic schedule, his return date remains undecided.
Some speculate that the government hastily brought Ambassador Lee back to ease the worsening public opinion ahead of the general election and that the Defense Industry Cooperation Chiefs of Mission Meeting was hastily arranged as a pretext for this.
It is unprecedented to hold a meeting by calling only some chiefs of mission to Korea on the topic of defense industry cooperation.
Moreover, unlike other chiefs of mission, Ambassador Lee returned urgently four days before the meeting and plans to remain in Korea even after this week's meeting ends, citing preparations for the Korea-Australia 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministers Meeting.
The exact date and location of the Korea-Australia 2+2 meeting have not yet been decided. The two countries are coordinating to hold the meeting either at the end of next month or in early May, but it is unusual for an ambassador to leave the Australian mission unattended for an extended period to prepare for this meeting.
If Ambassador Lee attends both the upcoming general chiefs of mission meeting at the end of next month and the Korea-Australia 2+2 meeting, it is expected that he will return to Australia only after May.
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