Democratic Party Files Complaint Against Candidate Jo Ji-ho... "Allegations of Customs Drug Investigation Interference"

The Democratic Party of Korea on the 6th filed a complaint with the police against Cho Ji-ho, the then Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency chief and current Police Commissioner nominee, in connection with allegations of external pressure on the investigation into a drug smuggling case involving customs officials.

In a message sent to reporters that day, the Democratic Party stated that they had filed complaints against Cho Ji-ho, Cho Byung-no, the then head of the Life Safety Department at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and Kim Chan-su, former chief of the Yeongdeungpo Police Station.

The allegations of external pressure on the investigation began last January when the Yeongdeungpo Police Station detected that customs officials had helped Malaysian drug syndicate members smuggle methamphetamine through Incheon Airport by allowing them to pass through security checkpoints. During the police investigation of this case, the involvement of customs officials was revealed, and as the investigation proceeded, suspicions of external pressure arose.

On the 29th of last month, nominee Jo Ji-ho for Commissioner of the National Police Agency is seen taking the oath at the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Baek Hae-ryong, a police superintendent and former head of the Criminal Division at Yeongdeungpo Police Station who led the investigation team, claimed that before a media briefing related to the case, he received external pressure from Cho Byung-no to "remove the Customs Service from the press release." Subsequently, Baek was transferred to be the chief of the Hwagok Police Substation at Gangseo Police Station.

Former Chief Kim is suspected of telling Baek at the time to postpone the briefing, saying, "This case is being taken seriously in Yongsan." The Democratic Party alleges that Cho Ji-ho, then chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, abused his authority by assigning Baek to a police substation position unrelated to investigative duties.

The Democratic Party claimed, "Cho Byung-no, former Chief Kim, and nominee Cho gave Baek Hae-ryong the fear that he might suffer personnel disadvantages, thereby restricting his freedom of decision-making or unlawfully and improperly exercising their official authority, constituting an abuse of power."

The Democratic Party urged, "It is an act that damages public trust when the police, who must uphold the rule of law, exert external pressure to cover up investigations and disrupt legal order," and called for a thorough investigation into the misconduct allegations against the three individuals.