Seoul: Former Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul appeared before a special counsel team on Wednesday to undergo questioning regarding his potential involvement in the government's alleged interference in the investigation of a Marine's death in 2023. Cho is being questioned as a suspect for the first time by special counsel Lee Myeong-hyeon's team. The investigation focuses on suspicions that Cho assisted former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup in fleeing through his appointment as ambassador to Australia in March 2024.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho stated, "I will speak sincerely during the investigation," as he entered the special counsel team's office. The former defense minister was under a travel ban at the time of his appointment. This occurred amid an investigation by the state anti-corruption agency into allegations that the then administration of Yoon Suk Yeol aimed to absolve certain individuals of responsibility for the death of Corporal Chae Su-geun in July 2023. Chae died after being swept away in a swollen stream during a search for victims of heavy rains.

The special counsel team is likely to question Cho about potential illegalities in the vetting process for Lee's ambassadorial appointment.