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.