Seoul: Former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae appeared before a special counsel team Friday to be questioned about suspicions of helping a former minister leave the country to allegedly avoid investigation.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Special Counsel Lee Myeong-hyeon has been investigating allegations that former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup fled to Australia in March last year as he faced an investigation for allegedly interfering in a probe into the 2023 death of a Marine. Park is accused of helping Lee leave the country after the justice ministry lifted an exit ban against him, following his appointment as South Korea’s ambassador to Australia.

When asked whether it was appropriate to lift Lee’s exit ban, Park told reporters that he handled the matter normally, denying allegations that former President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered him to do so. “I will sufficiently make an explanation during questioning,” Park said at the team’s office.

The team suspects Yoon’s office made instructions about Lee’s appointment as ambassador and lifted his exit ban. Lee’s departure to Australia drew controversy, leading to his return later that month and his resignation.