Special Prosecutor to Summon Key Figure, Former Defense Minister Lee Jongseop, for Questioning on the 17th, 71 Days After Launch

Lee Jongseop's Side: "Accepted Summons Request... Hopes for Video Recording to Ensure Transparent Investigation"

Former Defense Minister Lee Jongseop explains his reason for refusing to testify at the legislative hearing on the "Special Prosecutor Appointment Act for the Investigation of Obstruction and Cover-up of the Death of a Marine" (Chae Sangbyung Special Prosecutor Act) held at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the morning of June 21 last year. Photo by Yonhap News

The special prosecutor team led by Lee Myunghyun, tasked with investigating allegations of external pressure and cover-up in the Chaesangbyeong case, has decided to summon former Defense Minister Lee Jongseop as a witness for questioning, 71 days after the investigation began.

On September 10, Lee's attorney announced to the media, "The special prosecutor team requested that he appear for questioning as a witness at 10 a.m. on the 17th, and he has accepted the request."

The attorney added, "We have requested the official summons from the special prosecutor team and expressed our hope that the questioning will be video recorded to ensure a fair and transparent investigation."

The special prosecutor team plans to focus its questioning on various orders related to the Chaesangbyeong case, the so-called 'VIP rage theory,' and other core suspicions surrounding the incident.

Lee Jongseop was the Minister of National Defense at the time of Chaesangbyeong's death in July 2023. It was revealed that he reversed the Marine Corps investigation team's initial findings immediately after a phone call with former President Yoon, making him a key figure in uncovering both the 'VIP rage theory' and allegations of external pressure on the investigation.

Lee has already admitted in a written statement submitted to the special prosecutor team in July that he received a call from former President Yoon regarding the Chaesangbyeong case immediately after the 'VIP rage' meeting.

Initially, Lee Jongseop was listed as a main suspect in the investigation into alleged external pressure on the Chaesangbyeong case by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials. However, former President Yoon appointed Lee as ambassador to Australia, effectively enabling him to leave the country under what has been described as an 'escape abroad.'

Since Lee Jongseop himself is the subject of the escape, the special prosecutor team is unlikely to charge him with aiding and abetting a fugitive, as this charge applies to those who help others hide or escape. Therefore, he will be questioned as a witness regarding the related allegations.

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