'Drug Investigation Pressure Allegation' Police Commissioner Jo Byeong-no Claims "Only Confirmed the Facts"

Police Commissioner Jo Byeong-no (former Head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Community Safety Division) claimed that he only "confirmed the facts" regarding the 'Customs Drug Investigation Pressure Allegation.'

Mo Kyung-jong, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea.
[Photo by Asia Economy DB]

At the hearing held by the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee that day, when Assemblyman Mo Gyeong-jong of the Democratic Party asked, "Did the Customs Service request a briefing cover-up to avoid criticism during the National Assembly inspection?" Commissioner Jo responded, "No," and made this statement.

When asked whether he had ever requested Superintendent Baek Hae-ryong (former Head of the Yeongdeungpo Police Station Criminal Division) to exclude customs-related content, Commissioner Jo answered, "No."

Regarding whether President Yoon Seok-yeol or officials from the Presidential Office had made any requests, Commissioner Jo stated, "There were none."

This pressure allegation arose from an incident last January when the Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul detected that Malaysian drug organization members were smuggling methamphetamine into the country through Incheon Airport, with customs officers allegedly assisting them in passing through security checkpoints. Superintendent Baek revealed that before a media briefing related to the case, he received pressure from Commissioner Jo to "remove the Customs Service from the press release." Commissioner Jo denies any such pressure.