South Korea’s new ambassador to Australia quits amid probe controversy
Seoul: South Korea’s newly minted ambassador to Australia has resigned amid questions about a corruption investigation at home.
Lee Jong-sup, who was appointed just four weeks ago, is being investigated over allegations he tried to improperly influence a probe into the death of a marine last year while he was defence minister.
Questions about his nomination have battered President Yoon Suk Yeol’s ruling party which is less than two weeks from a closely fought parliamentary election.
Lee Jong-sup in Seoul in January while he was defence minister.Credit: AP
“His resignation was reported to the president and it has been decided it will be accepted,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Reuters could not immediately contact Lee for comment.
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Lee has previously denied any wrongdoing and said he was willing to cooperate fully with the investigation.
Criticism of the appointment grew sharply when he flew to Canberra on March 10, which South Korean opposition party members decried as an attempt to evade questioning in the case.
Some members of Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP) have also said he was the wrong choice for an ambassador and it was a mistake for him to leave the country.
