Baek Haeryong Directly Refutes Prosecution: "Lim Eunjeong Lacks Basic Field Investigation Knowledge"

Claims of No Investigation Into Airport Passage
Prosecution Issues Official Letter on Violation of Publicity Rules

Detective Baek Haeryong, who was dispatched to the joint investigation team of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office investigating the 'alleged external pressure on customs drug investigations,' directly refuted the prosecution on December 12.

Paik Haeryong, Police Lieutenant. Photo by Yonhap News

On this day, Detective Baek issued a press release stating, "It is only natural for drug couriers to conceal and downplay their crimes," and criticized, "Even though the drug courier was persuading an accomplice in Malay, Chief Prosecutor Lim Eunjeong's claim that 'I was deceived' demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of basic field investigation."

Detective Baek emphasized, "The essence of the case is that members of the drug organization attached more than 1 kilogram of methamphetamine to their bodies and hid it inside wooden cutting boards to pass through an airport in the Republic of Korea," and pointed out, "The prosecution never once asked how they managed to get through. They did not investigate that process and simply covered it up."

Detective Baek further stated, "The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office and the joint investigation team are distorting the facts and deceiving the public by editing parts of the video footage during on-site investigations and verifications," adding, "To correct this, I had no choice but to release the draft of the on-site verification report." However, according to relevant administrative regulations, the disclosure of details of a suspect or investigation is prohibited except in cases where it is necessary to prevent the recurrence of similar crimes or the rapid spread of crime victimization.

On December 10, the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office sent an official letter to the Police Agency's Inspection Division requesting 'appropriate action' regarding Detective Baek's violation of publicity rules and infringement of personal information protection.

Previously, on December 9, the joint investigation team announced interim investigation results, stating that "there was no evidence of customs officials assisting in drug smuggling," and cleared seven customs officers of all charges.