Ministry of Justice Lifts Travel Ban on Lee Jong-seop Amid Allegations of External Pressure in Marine Corps Death Investigation (Comprehensive)

"No separate investigation, multiple extensions of withdrawal... Considering recent investigation and active cooperation"
Public Corruption Investigation Office: "Will proceed with investigation procedures to ascertain facts according to law and principles"

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 Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

On the 8th, the Ministry of Justice held a travel ban review committee and decided to lift the travel ban after determining that Lee’s objection was valid.

The Ministry of Justice explained that it considered factors such as the travel ban being extended multiple times without any special investigation, the recent attendance of Lee for questioning, and his 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 and was questioned for about four hours before returning home.

The HOCI Investigation Division 4 (Chief Prosecutor Lee Dae-hwan) reportedly questioned Lee about his involvement during the process in which the case, in which former Marine Corps 1st Division Commander Im Seong-geun and others were charged with negligent homicide and transferred to the police, 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, "I saw that he was going to perform official duties, not for personal reasons or to flee," and added, "(Lee) filed an objection to the travel ban, and I think it will be handled according to procedures and standards."

He continued, "Whether to impose a travel ban is initially determined by the investigative agency, and if the person concerned files an objection, the Immigration Office reviews it and handles it according to procedures and standards."

Meanwhile, HOCI stated, "As before, we will calmly continue the investigation process to ascertain the facts according to the law and principles."

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