The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) accused the presidential office Friday of lying by claiming it had no prior knowledge of the travel ban imposed on former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup.
In January, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) requested that Lee be banned from leaving the country as part of its investigation into last year’s death of a young Marine. The travel ban became known after Lee was named ambassador to Australia earlier this week.
On Thursday, the presidential office said it had no prior knowledge of the travel ban, saying there is no way for the office to know the details of the CIO’s investigation.
“The presidential office claiming ignorance of the travel ban is nothing but a lie,” Rep. Hong Ihk-pyo, floor leader of the DP, said during a party meeting Friday.
Hong further asserted that the justice ministry is responsible for both checking personal records and imposing travel bans, accusing Yoon of aiding a suspect in a major case to flee overseas
.
On Thursday, the CIO subpoenaed Lee over allegations of exerting influence to delay the findings of an internal probe by the Marines into the soldier’s death during a search operation for downpour victims in July last year.
The justice mister hinted at lifting Lee’s travel ban as he is believed to have a plan to leave for Australia soon.
Source: Yonhap News Agency