Seoul: Former President Yoon Suk Yeol has been implicated in a new indictment alleging that he facilitated the appointment of former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup as the top envoy to Australia in 2023 to help him evade an investigation into a Marine's death. This development adds to Yoon's legal troubles, as he is already on trial for a previous attempt to impose martial law.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the indictment reveals that in September 2023, Yoon and his national security adviser, Cho Tae-yong, discussed sending Lee to an ambassadorial position amid escalating controversy over the death of a young Marine. Lee had offered to resign as minister, and Cho suggested the ambassadorship to Australia as a suitable post. Yoon subsequently raised the idea with former ministers.
Two months later, the indictment states that Yoon instructed Cho to proceed with arrangements for Lee's appointment. Cho allegedly directed foreign ministry officials to initiate the replacement of the current ambassador, whose tenure still had over two years remaining. In March 2024, Lee assumed the role of ambassador to Australia. The indictment further claims that the foreign ministry also replaced the ambassador to Morocco to make Lee's appointment appear as part of a routine diplomatic reshuffle.
The indictment also accuses the justice ministry of facilitating Lee's departure from the country. Former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae allegedly ordered the immigration agency to lift a travel ban on Lee, who was a key figure in the investigation into the Marine's death. This ban had been imposed in accordance with legal procedures.
The special counsel, led by Lee Myeong-hyeon, suggests that Yoon's actions were motivated by a desire to avoid personal involvement in the investigation. The military probe into Cpl. Chae Su-geun's death identified eight individuals, including former Marine Corps 1st Division commander Lim Seong-geun, as suspects of occupational negligence resulting in death. Although Lee initially approved the investigation report, he later instructed that it not be referred to the police after Yoon reportedly reacted angrily to its findings.
On Thursday, the special counsel indicted Yoon alongside five other former senior officials, accusing them of roles in aiding Lee's alleged escape. This group includes former top security adviser Cho, former Justice Minister Park, and former First Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin.