Amidst testimonies claiming to have witnessed the so-called ‘VIP anger’, former Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop, who has been identified as a key suspect in the investigation interference allegations, has pushed back, stating that the communication process is being mischaracterized as anger.
On the 16th, Lee’s side released a statement expressing disagreement with framing the internal communication process of the administration, aimed at correcting mistakes, as the provocative and non-legal term ‘anger’.
They argued that it is completely legitimate for the President to express concerns and make related comments to the Defense Minister via phone. If the President did so, it would have been a rightful action.
Furthermore, Lee emphasized that he does not have any recollection of finding the situation worthy of being described as anger, and maintains that he never received specific instructions, such as removing a division commander or delaying transfers.
Previously, it was alleged that during a meeting in July the year before last, then-President Yoon was upset after being briefed on the marine corps investigation’s initial findings, stating, “Who would be willing to be a division commander if we punish one over such matters?” It was also alleged that he reprimanded Lee Jong-seop, the then-Defense Minister, over the phone and made him alter the investigation results.
Recently, the special counsel investigating the private first-class Chae case has gathered testimonies from attendees of the meeting, including former National Security Office First Deputy Director Kim Tae-hyo, former diplomatic secretary Lee Chung-myun, and former economic security secretary Wang Yun-jong, confirming the occurrence of Yoon’s anger.
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