Australia envoy spat shakes South Korea's ruling party ahead of poll

SEOUL -- An unfolding scandal involving South Korea's ambassador-designate to Australia is threatening to undermine the prospects of the country's ruling party in pivotal elections next month.

The case centers on Lee Jong-sup, a former defense minister who was recently appointed envoy to Canberra. Lee is currently under investigation by South Korea's Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) over allegations he interfered in a probe into a marine who died on duty in July last year. He was subject to a travel ban that was lifted last week.