Seoul Police Chief Vows “I Will Stake My Career” Amid Customs Drug Investigation Pressure Allegations

Kim Bong-sik, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (former Head of the Investigation Department at Seoul Police Agency), declared on the 20th that he would stake his position as Commissioner on the claim that there was no external pressure on the customs drug investigation.

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

On the same day, at the 'Customs Drug Investigation External Pressure Allegation Hearing' held by the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee, Kim responded “Yes” to the question from Mo Kyung-jong, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who asked, “You said in a media interview that you would stake your position, is that correct?”

When asked whether he had ever ordered the transfer of a case while serving as Head of the Investigation Department, Kim replied, “I ordered a review for transfer.”

Assemblyman Mo pointed out, “Choi Hyung-wook, Head of Cyber Investigation Unit 1 at Seoul Police Agency (former Head of the Violent Crimes Division at Seoul Police Agency), said that an order to transfer the case was issued,” adding, “There are people who received the transfer order, but there is no one who denies it.”

The external pressure allegation arose from an incident last January when the Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul detected that Malaysian drug syndicate members were helping customs officers allow methamphetamine to be smuggled into the country through Incheon Airport by passing through security checkpoints. Baek Hae-ryong, Superintendent (former Head of the Criminal Division at Yeongdeungpo Police Station), revealed that before a media briefing related to the case, he received external pressure from Cho Byung-no, Senior Superintendent (former Head of the Community Safety Department at Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency), to “remove the Korea Customs Service from the press release.” Cho denies any external pressure.