The Fate of the Nuclear Power Investigation Hangs on Whether Baek Woon-gyu Is Detained

Investigation into Cheongwadae Higher-Ups upon Warrant Issuance... Rejection Deals Blow to Investigation Team and Prosecutor General Yoon

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The prosecution, investigating allegations of manipulation in the economic feasibility assessment of the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant, has requested an arrest warrant for former Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Baek Woon-gyu, signaling an investigation into higher-ups. The fate of the investigation team depends on whether the court grants the arrest warrant. If former Minister Baek is detained, the next step will move to the Blue House, whereas if the warrant is dismissed, not only the investigation team but also Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol will face political pressure.

According to the legal community on the 5th, the pre-arrest detention hearing for former Minister Baek is scheduled for the 8th. Considering that arrest warrants were issued within two days after being requested for Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy officials who were prosecuted for deleting nuclear power-related data to obstruct audits, it is highly likely that Baek’s hearing will take place shortly after the weekend.

The prosecution suspects that former Minister Baek was involved in manipulating Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power’s economic feasibility assessment to facilitate the early shutdown of the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant. Last year, the Board of Audit and Inspection concluded that in April 2018, prior to Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power’s economic feasibility assessment, Baek decided to immediately halt the operation of the nuclear plant at the Blue House’s request. More importantly, Baek is also suspected of being involved in the deletion of nuclear power data by Ministry officials who were previously prosecuted.

If the court grants the arrest warrant for former Minister Baek, the next investigation will target the Blue House. The top priority is Chae Hee-bong, President of Korea Gas Corporation, who was the Blue House’s Industry Policy Secretary in 2018. Starting with President Chae, who is known to have ordered the early shutdown, the investigation will focus on whether the highest levels of the Blue House were involved in manipulating the economic feasibility assessment. Some quarters have mentioned former Senior Secretary for Social Affairs Kim Soo-hyun, as among the documents deleted by Ministry officials were items labeled 'Industry Secretary’s requests' along with 'Follow-up measures and security plans (Social Secretary report).'

On the other hand, if the court dismisses the arrest warrant for former Minister Baek, the nuclear power investigation will effectively halt. The investigation team will face political pressure for conducting an excessive investigation, and Prosecutor General Yoon, who prioritized the nuclear power investigation after returning from disciplinary action, will also suffer a blow to his standing. Considering that the ruling party criticized from the early stages of the prosecution’s investigation, saying, "The suspension of Wolseong’s operation is an act of presidential governance, but the prosecution is conducting a political investigation," there could be a large-scale replacement of the command line, including Daejeon District Prosecutor Lee Doo-bong, in the upcoming high-level prosecution personnel reshuffle.

A lawyer with a prosecution background said, "The forthcoming court decision will inevitably have a significant impact on the trial process of the Ministry officials, so whether former Minister Baek is detained could potentially mark the end point of the nuclear power investigation."