The special counsel team led by Lee Myung-hyun, investigating allegations of pressure and cover-up in the Chae Sang-byeong case, summoned Lee Jong-sup, the former Minister of National Defense and the top defense official at the time, for the first time on the 17th. It came 77 days after the investigation began.
Lee, the former Minister, appeared before the special counsel at about 9:57 a.m. as a reference in connection with allegations of a "flight-like departure to Australia," was questioned for more than 12 hours, and returned home after 9 p.m.
On his way home, the former Minister told reporters, "I said everything I had to say," and added, "I have nothing more to say (regarding the reference questioning)." When asked, "Is your position unchanged that there was no aiding a suspect's escape and that you did not know about the travel ban?" he replied, "Do you think it was an escape?" His attorney said, "We consider (the allegation of escape) to be delusional."
He did not answer a question on whether former President Yoon Suk-yeol had ordered the retrieval of records in the Chae Sang-byeong case or an investigation into insubordination against Marine Corps investigative chief Park Jeong-hoon.
On his way into the special counsel's office in the morning, the former Minister said, "I have fully clarified my position and the facts through various opportunities," adding, "None of that has changed." Asked next, "Why did you ask former Vice Minister of Justice Lee No-gong for a template for a request to lift a travel ban?" he countered, "The issue of lifting the travel ban is so absurd that I will not comment on it." When pressed again on whether he had a position, he drew a line, saying, "It's nonsense."
It is known that in the day's questioning, the special counsel examined the entire process from the former Minister's appointment as ambassador to Australia to his departure, return, and resignation. In July 2023, when Chae Sang-byeong died in the line of duty, he oversaw defense affairs and came under investigation by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials as a key suspect in the alleged pressure on the probe, leading to a travel ban. However, on Mar. 4 last year, he was abruptly appointed ambassador to Australia, and four days later the travel ban was lifted and he left for Australia. He returned 11 days later and resigned from the ambassadorship.
Following the reference questioning of the former Minister, the special counsel team plans to summon, in turn, related figures designated as suspects to verify the facts. At 10 a.m. on the 23rd, in connection with the alleged pressure on the investigation, the team plans to summon the former Minister as a suspect on charges of abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights.