Ministry of Justice Lifts Travel Ban on Lee Jong-seop Amid Allegations of External Pressure in Marine Corps Death Investigation
"No separate investigation, multiple withdrawal extensions... Considering recent investigation and active cooperation"
The Ministry of Justice has lifted the travel ban on former Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop, who was previously restricted from leaving the country amid allegations of external pressure in the investigation of the death of Marine Corps Corporal Chae.
Former Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop.
Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
On the 8th, the Ministry of Justice held a travel ban review committee meeting and announced that it found Lee’s objection to the travel ban to be valid and thus lifted the restriction.
The Ministry explained that it considered factors such as the travel ban being extended multiple times without any special investigation, the recent attendance for questioning, and Lee’s expressed willingness to actively cooperate with the investigation process.
The High-ranking Officials’ Crime Investigation Division (HOCI) had registered Lee as a suspect and imposed a travel ban in January this year in connection with allegations of external pressure in the investigation of the death of Marine Corps Corporal Chae. Lee, who was appointed as ambassador to Australia, appeared at HOCI as a suspect the day before, was questioned for about four hours, and then returned home.
The HOCI Investigation Division 4 (Chief Prosecutor Lee Dae-hwan) reportedly questioned Lee about his involvement during the process in which the case, initially transferred to the police with charges of negligent homicide against former Marine Corps 1st Division Commander Im Seong-geun and others, was recalled and re-examined by the Ministry of National Defense prosecution team.
On his way to work that day, Minister of Justice Park Seong-jae told reporters, “It was seen as going to perform official duties, not for personal reasons or to flee,” and added, “(Lee) filed an objection to the travel ban, and I believe it will be handled according to procedures and standards.”
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He continued, “Whether to impose a travel ban is initially decided by the investigative agency, and if the person concerned files an objection, the Immigration Office reviews what action to take and handles it according to procedures and standards.”
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