(LEAD) Exit ban lifted for former defense minister

The Ministry of Justice said Friday it lifted an exit ban for former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup, which was imposed in January in connection with a state anti-corruption investigation agency's probe into last year's death of a young Marine. The ministry's move comes as Lee is reportedly planning to leave the country later Friday to take office as the new ambassador to Australia. The ministry said its travel ban deliberation committee met and concluded that Lee's appeal against his exit ban is well founded. The committee took into consideration that the exit ban has been extended several times without much inquiry and Lee recently underwent questioning and promised cooperation with investigators, according to the ministry. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials banned Lee from leaving the country in January and questioned him as a power abuse suspect Thursday over allegations that he exerted influence to hold off the findings of an internal probe by the Marines on the death of th e soldier during a search operation for victims of heavy downpours in July last year. The travel ban was made public after Lee was appointed as the new top envoy to Australia on Monday. He filed an appeal against the ban the following day. Justice Minister Park Sung-jae told reporters Friday morning that Lee's planned overseas travel is intended to perform official duties rather than conduct personal business or flee. Source: Yonhap News Agency