DP files another complaint against Yoon over ambassador’s departure

The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) lodged another complaint Friday against President Yoon Suk Yeol and his aides on charges of stating falsehoods in connection with the controversial departure of Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup.The DP filed the complaint with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), accusing the presidential office of falsely saying in a statement that an exit ban on the ambassador was lifted under the CIO's consent.The exit ban had been imposed on Lee with regard to a CIO investigation into suspicions that he exercised undue influence over a military investigation into last year's death of a young Marine. After Lee was appointed ambassador, the exit ban was lifted so as to enable him to take office.After Lee's departure came under massive criticism, the presidential office said in a statement that the CIO also agreed to the lifting of the exit ban. But the CIO immediately rejected the claim, saying it never allowed Lee to leave the country.La st week, the DP filed another complaint accusing Yoon, the foreign minister and the justice minister of abusing power, and helping a suspect flee in connection with Lee's departure.Lee returned home Thursday, 11 days after leaving the country, amid mounting calls for his return.Source: Yonhap News Agency