South Korea's ambassador to Australia steps down amid outrage over his posting

ISTANBUL

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday accepted the resignation of newly appointed Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup, amid concerns that his controversial appointment could have hurt his party's chances in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Lee Jong-sup was forced to return home 11 days after taking up his new role in Canberra, pending an investigation into the death of a South Korean soldier last year.

“As Ambassador Lee Jong-sup strongly expressed his intent to resign, the ministry reported it to the president, who has the appointment power, and decided to accept the resignation,” said the Foreign Ministry in a statement.

Lee, a former defense minister, is accused of interfering with an internal military probe, the Seoul-based Yonhap News reported. He has denied any wrongdoing.

He was appointed Seoul's diplomat in Canberra on March 4, and flew to Australia on March 12 before returning on March 21.

His appointment sparked outrage and negative public sentiment ahead of the parliamentary elections on April 10 when President Yoon Suk-yeol's People's Power Party hopes to win a majority in parliament.

One of South Korea's shortest-serving ambassadors was barred from flying out, but he was able to accept a new job after the country's Justice Ministry lifted the travel ban on Lee.

Lee's attorney has claimed that he "repeatedly called for the anti-corruption investigation office to quickly summon him for questioning, but he still has not heard from the office."

Lee is accused of allegedly pressuring investigators into the soldier's death to withhold information revealing the circumstances of the marine’s death, which was caused by strong river currents during a search and rescue operation.

The soldier is said to have not been equipped with a life jacket.

Yoon's other pick for China, Ambassador Chung Jae-ho, is facing allegations of power abuse against a staff member, the daily Chosun Ilbo reported.

Chung, Yoon's former school and university mate, was appointed South Korean envoy to Beijing in Aug. 2022, shortly after the president was inaugurated.