The presidential office has no plans to withdraw the appointment of former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup as the new ambassador to Australia, officials said Thursday, as criticism mounts over his departure while under investigation over his handling of the death of a young Marine last year. Lee departed for Australia on Sunday, two days after the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) lifted a travel ban that had been placed on him to investigate his alleged interference in the Marines' internal probe into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun. Chae died last July during a search mission amid heavy rain. "There is no possibility the appointment of Ambassador Lee Jong-sup will be withdrawn," a presidential official told Yonhap News Agency. Another presidential official said withdrawing the appointment "would not stand to reason." The presidential office has maintained there are no issues with the appointment, as Lee appeared for questioning at the CIO prior to his departure and has stated his willingness to cooperate with any future investigation needs. The office has also defended itself from criticism of its vetting procedures by citing a law that prohibits the presidential office from involving itself in any way in the CIO's work. The controversy comes at a politically sensitive time with less than a month to go until the April 10 parliamentary elections. One presidential official noted withdrawing the appointment now could backfire to hurt the ruling party's election chances. Source: Yonhap News Agency
