President Lee orders dispatch of Baek Hae-ryong to the investigation team.
Former People’s Power representative Han Dong-hoon criticized President Lee Jae-myung, stating, “The president should eradicate drugs, not politicize them,” in response to President Lee’s order for a thorough investigation into the customs drug investigation pressure allegations, directing Baek Hae-ryong to reinforce the investigation team.
On the 12th, former representative Han stated on social media, “There is no middle ground when it comes to drugs, and if there are drug-related crimes, they must be punished severely, regardless of status.” He continued, “I have been sincerer than anyone in drug investigations, and when the Democratic Party destroyed the drug investigation capabilities through complete deprivation of the prosecution’s investigative power, I revived them with the enforcement ordinance for the full restoration of the prosecution’s investigative power.”
Furthermore, Han criticized, “Mr. Baek Hae-ryong kept repeating nonsensical lies that I covered up a drug investigation I knew nothing about, leading to criminal complaints and claims for civil damages. For the president to appoint such a person to the investigation team led by prosecutor Lim Eun-jeong indicates that the president is endorsing these lies and is willing to take responsibility together.”
Previously, the customs drug investigation pressure allegation involved Malaysian suspects smuggling large quantities of methamphetamine through Incheon International Airport in January 2023. During the investigation by Seoul’s Yeongdeungpo police, testimonies implicated Incheon customs officials, leading to suspicions that high-ranking officials from the Presidential Office, police, and Korea Customs Service under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration exerted pressure to cover up the case. Baek claimed that former representative Han, who was the Minister of Justice at the time, was involved in the pressure.
The Presidential Office stated in a briefing to reporters that President Lee instructed reinforced investigations by dispatching Baek to the joint investigative team of prosecutors and police. Prosecutor Lim Eun-jeong, head of the investigation, was also directed to add additional investigators if necessary to thoroughly uncover the truth and conduct independent and strict investigations without sanctuary, regardless of status.