Lee Jong-seop, Australian Ambassador, Resigns 25 Days After Appointment... President Yoon Likely to Approve

Statement Released This Morning Through Lawyer
Lee Jong-seop "Strong Response to Seoul Nam-A Procedures"
Ruling Party's 'Risk Management' Ahead of General Election

Ambassador Lee Jong-seop to Australia, who is under investigation for allegations of external pressure related to the death of Marine Corporal Chae, is answering reporters' questions after returning to Korea through Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport on Yeongjong Island, Incheon, on the morning of the 21st. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Ambassador Lee Jong-seop, who was under investigation for alleged external pressure in the death of Marine Corps Corporal Chae and sparked controversy for 'fleeing' after being appointed as ambassador to Australia, announced his resignation on the 29th. This comes 25 days after his appointment was announced on the 4th.

Kim Jae-hoon, the lawyer representing Ambassador Lee, stated in a written opinion this morning that Lee expressed his intention to Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol, saying, "I hope to be relieved of the ambassador position to Australia."

In a statement, the ambassador said, "I have continuously requested the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (PCC) to expedite the investigation," but "the PCC has yet to set an investigation date."

He added, "Even after the meeting of key defense industry cooperation mission chiefs concludes, I will remain in Seoul to strongly respond to all procedures until the end," and "for that reason, today I expressed my intention to the Foreign Minister to be relieved of the ambassador position to Australia and requested that it be approved without fail," he explained.

Until now, the Presidential Office has maintained the position that there is no legal issue with the ambassador's appointment. However, since Ambassador Lee strongly requested resignation and public criticism has not subsided, it is highly likely that President Yoon will approve the resignation.

Lee, who served as the first Minister of National Defense under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, was appointed ambassador to Australia on the 4th while under investigation by the PCC for alleged external pressure in the Marine Corps Corporal Chae death case. After controversy arose domestically over his 'fleeing abroad,' and public opinion worsened, he returned to Korea on the 21st, 11 days after departure, citing attendance at the defense industry cooperation mission chiefs meeting.

At that time, Ambassador Lee reiterated that the allegations against him were untrue and said, "I hope to have the opportunity to be investigated by the PCC during my stay." However, the PCC stated, "Due to investigation conditions, it is difficult to summon the ambassador for questioning for the time being," and time passed without a set date.

Meanwhile, some speculated that Ambassador Lee's return was for 'election purposes.' It was explained that the government hurriedly brought him back to soothe worsening public opinion ahead of the general election and hastily arranged the defense industry cooperation mission chiefs meeting as justification.

Ambassador Lee's sudden resignation announcement today is interpreted as his intention to avoid further impact on the Foreign Ministry's work and the general election and to focus solely on responding to the investigation. For the ruling party, this is a risk management move ahead of the general election, removing a negative factor, and attention is focused on how much this will affect public sentiment going forward.