Seoul | Australia has been drawn into South Korea’s upcoming elections after the appointment of a controversial former defence minister as its new ambassador in Canberra was seized upon by opposition politicians trying to discredit President Yoon Suk-yeol.

Lee Jong-sup’s appointment was seen as a sign of the importance that Mr Yoon’s government has attached to bolstering security ties with Australia. But his arrival in Canberra a week ago has been overshadowed by a corruption scandal in Seoul.