The special prosecutor's office is searching the home of former Minister of Justice Park Sung-jae as part of an investigation into the appointment allegations of former Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop as ambassador to Australia on the morning of the 4th.
The special prosecutor's office noted that they are searching the vehicle and mobile phone of former Minister Park. Park's residence was not included in the search.
The special prosecutor's office has been investigating the allegations regarding former Minister Lee's appointment as ambassador to Australia. Concerns about 'evasion suspicion' arose when former Minister Lee was appointed ambassador to Australia while being under investigation as a suspect in the pressure on the investigation into the death of the late Corporal Chae Soo-geun last year.
At that time, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) had placed former Minister Lee under an exit ban. However, during the process of his appointment as ambassador to Australia, an objection filed with the Ministry of Justice was accepted, resulting in the lifting of the exit ban.
Meanwhile, the special prosecutor's office is expected to examine the process that led to former Minister Lee's appointment as ambassador to Australia and the lifting of the exit ban based on the materials secured that day.