"Exit Ban" Lee Jong-seop, Australian Ambassador, Already Issued Diplomatic Passport

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Not Subject to Administrative Sanctions Under Passport Act"
Regarding Whether Former Minister Lee Is Subject to Travel Ban
Presidential Office: "Cannot Confirm Any Details of the Corruption Investigation"

Lee Jong-seop, the nominee for Ambassador to Australia who was banned from leaving the country amid allegations of external pressure in the investigation of the death of Marine Corps Corporal Chae Sang-byeong, is reported to have been issued a diplomatic passport.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told reporters on the 7th, "According to usual practice, when a personnel appointment is made, the newly appointed head of mission applies for a diplomatic passport, and accordingly, a diplomatic passport is issued," adding, "(Former Minister Lee) is not subject to administrative sanctions for the issuance of a diplomatic passport under the Passport Act."

Under the Passport Act, passport issuance can be refused to individuals who have been indicted for crimes punishable by imprisonment of two years or more, those whose prosecution or investigation has been suspended for crimes punishable by imprisonment of three years or more, or those who have arrest or detention warrants issued and are currently abroad.

However, when asked whether it is possible to dispatch an ambassador abroad while under a travel ban, the official responded, "This is a matter between the relevant agency (the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials) and the individual, so there is nothing further to comment on from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

At the regular briefing on the same day, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lim Soo-seok also stated, "The travel ban on Ambassador Lee Jong-seop is a confidential matter related to an ongoing investigation and has not been disclosed publicly," adding, "There is nothing further to comment on from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding this." When asked about the appointment date, he refrained from commenting, saying, "It is customary not to disclose it."

Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop is responding to lawmakers' questions during the government inquiry session at the National Assembly plenary meeting held on the 6th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The nominee was reported to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) on charges of abusing authority by ordering the retrieval of investigation records from the Marine Corps investigation team, which had been handed over to the police, in connection with the case of Marine Corps Corporal Chae Mo who died while searching for missing persons during last year's heavy rains. Reports emerged that the CIO imposed a travel ban on the nominee in January during the early stages of the investigation, sparking controversy over whether it is appropriate to appoint a person under a travel ban as a foreign ambassador.

Whether the government was aware of the travel ban during the personnel screening process is a key issue. In response, the Presidential Office stated that it was unaware that the CIO had imposed a travel ban on the nominee. A senior official from the Presidential Office said, "We have no knowledge whatsoever of the CIO's investigation status, and neither the Presidential Office nor President Yoon can inquire about or be informed of the investigation status, as it is legally prohibited." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains that personnel screening for senior officials, including the Ambassador to Australia, falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice.

Currently, the nominee has received agr?ment (host country consent) from the Australian government necessary for ambassadorial dispatch. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said, "At this stage, there is no need for consultation with the Australian side," adding, "(Agr?ment) is an exclusive authority of the Australian side, and no particular issues have been raised so far." When asked whether there are plans to replace the ambassador to Australia, a Presidential Office official said, "I am not aware of any discussions that have taken place since then."

Meanwhile, according to the legal community, the CIO's Investigation Division 4 (Chief Prosecutor Lee Dae-hwan) summoned former Minister Lee on the same day for questioning as a suspect on charges of abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.