SEOUL, March 29, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - South Korea's ambassador to Australia has

resigned, Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday, after his appointment while
under investigation by corruption authorities triggered public outcry just
weeks before a general election.

Before being named to the post, Lee Jong-sup had been banned from traveling
while South Korea's Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) probed allegations
he interfered with an enquiry into the death of a marine last year, while he
was the country's defence minister.

Seoul's foreign ministry told AFP Friday it had "decided to accept his
resignation", without giving further details.

The 20-year-old marine died after being swept away while doing relief work
during major flooding, with some reports saying he was never given a life
jacket by authorities.

The CIO is looking into whether Lee, as defence chief, interfered with the
probe into the marine's death. He has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to
cooperate.

Lee was appointed ambassador to Australia by President Yoon Suk Yeol and left
for Canberra on March 10, triggering public outcry.

He returned to Seoul last week, officially to attend defence meetings.

The ex-defence chief's posting to Australia was seen as an attempt by Seoul
to enhance defense collaboration with Canberra, which signed a $2.4 billion
deal in December with South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace to purchase infantry
fighting vehicles.

But it also triggered widespread criticism, including from parliamentarians
from Yoon's party, with the timing seen as unfortunate ahead of April 10
elections.

According to pollster Realmeter, "controversy over former minister Lee Jong-
sup's appointment" has emerged as a variable in the run up to the vote,
making it harder for the president to get his approval ratings up, the Yonhap
News Agency reported.

Experts say the upcoming poll is crucial for Yoon's People Power Party (PPP),
since the president could end up a lame duck for the final three years of his
term if the opposition win in a landslide.

South Korea allows presidents to serve only a single term and Yoon's ends in
2027.

"It would be a disgrace to our country if (Lee Jong-sup) as a suspect,
returns to Australia to engage in diplomatic activities," an editorial by
local daily Kyunghyang Shinmun said prior to Lee's Friday resignation.

"The very issue began when a key suspect was appointed as the ambassador to
Australia, which enabled his midnight escape-style departure in an effort to
dodge negative repercussions on the general election," it added.