Defense Ministry's former head, Lee, interrogated initially in Marine fatality investigation by special investigative team
Former South Korean Secretary of Defense Lee Jong-sup under Investigation for Alleged Interference in Military Probe
In a series of developments, former South Korean Secretary of Defense Lee Jong-sup finds himself at the centre of an investigation involving high-ranking officials of the former Yoon Suk Yeol administration. The investigation, which is part of a wider probe into alleged government interference in military probes, has been ongoing since the death of a young Marine in 2023.
Lee, who served as secretary of defense at the time of the Marine's death, has been questioned by a special counsel team regarding allegations that he interfered in the investigation of Cpl. Chae Su-geun's death. Cpl. Chae died while on a search mission for victims of heavy rains, without wearing proper safety equipment like a life vest.
Just days after being appointed as Seoul's ambassador to Canberra, Lee left for Australia in March last year. This move, made while under investigation by anti-corruption officials over the allegations, has raised eyebrows. Lee, however, dismissed the allegations surrounding the lifting of his exit ban as "ridiculous" and told reporters that he would cooperate in the investigation.
Upon his return to South Korea later that month, Lee was questioned about the allegations. He was asked if he tried to flee from investigation, to which he responded, "Do you think I tried to flee?" His attorney, meanwhile, dismissed the allegations against Lee as delusional.
The special prosecutors suspect that government officials helped Lee leave the country to avoid being investigated. The search results do not provide information about which government officials are suspected of helping Lee lift his travel ban upon exiting the country in March of the previous year.
The investigation into Cpl. Chae's death is not the only matter of concern. Lee initially signed off on the initial probe results regarding Cpl. Chae's death, but later rescinded them after a call with Yoon. The special counsel team plans to call Lee in again next Tuesday for further questioning.
Former Secretary of Defense Lee Jong-sup was not the only one questioned by the special counsel team. On Wednesday, Lee's predecessor, former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup, was also questioned.
The questioning was part of a widening investigation over alleged government interference in a military probe into the death of a young Marine in 2023. The investigation is expected to continue, with the special counsel team working diligently to uncover the truth behind the allegations.
