Former Defense Minister Lee testifies before a special investigator in the course of a marine death inquiry for the first time
A special counsel team, launched in July to investigate high-ranking officials of the former Yoon Suk Yeol administration, is currently delving into allegations against former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup.
The investigation centres around alleged government interference in the military probe into the death of Corporal Chae Su-geun, who perished in a swollen stream during a search mission for victims of heavy rains in July 2023.
On Wednesday, Lee Jong-sup appeared before the special counsel team, having expressed his intent to cooperate in the investigation. Upon his arrival at Lee Myeong-hyeon's office in southern Seoul, he dismissed the allegations surrounding the lifting of his exit ban as 'ridiculous.'
Lee Jong-sup served as defense minister at the time of the investigation and initially signed off on the initial probe results concerning Cpl. Chae's death. However, he later rescinded them. It is worth noting that Cpl. Chae was not wearing proper safety equipment, such as a life vest, at the time of his death.
The special counsel team plans to call Lee Jong-sup again next Tuesday for further questioning. The allegations against him involve the clearing of initial suspects responsible for Cpl. Chae's death.
However, there are no available search results or credible sources that identify the initials or names of the suspects allegedly released from investigation in connection with the death of Corporal Chae Su-geun in July 2023.
Lee Jong-sup left for Australia in March last year while under investigation. He was appointed as Seoul's ambassador to Canberra after his departure, but returned to South Korea later that month amid controversy over his departure.
The special counsel team is also investigating alleged government interference in a military probe into a Marine's death in 2023. The team, led by Lee Myeong-hyeon, is diligently working to uncover the truth behind these allegations.
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