SEOUL – South Korea’s Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup said on March 21 that he was willing to be questioned by the anti-corruption agency over allegations that he tried to manipulate a probe into the death of a marine in 2023 when he was defence minister.

Mr Lee, who was recently appointed to head the embassy in Canberra, flew back to Seoul on March 21 for what he said were official meetings.

He has denied any wrongdoing or that he was trying to dodge the investigation.

He told reporters that he would try to schedule a meeting with the anti-corruption agency during the trip.

“I hope to be able to coordinate a schedule with the Corruption Investigation Office so that there is a chance to attend questioning during my stay,” Mr Lee said at Incheon Airport. 

Some members of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s own political party, and lawmakers from the opposition, have criticised Mr Lee’s appointment, saying he should not have been allowed to leave for Australia on March 10 while he was under investigation.

The criticism precedes parliamentary elections in April, where polls show that Mr Yoon’s People's Power Party is in a close race against the liberal opposition Democratic Party.

Mr Yoon’s office has said Mr Lee’s appointment and his departure to Canberra were entirely lawful, and noted that Mr Lee has promised to return and cooperate fully with the probe.

The anti-corruption agency is investigating Mr Lee over allegations that he was behind a government attempt to interfere with a probe into the death of a marine who was involved in a search and rescue operation during floods in 2023. REUTERS