After Prosecutors and Police Call Allegations "Groundless," Baek Haeryong Demands Public Investigation into "Drug Gate" Case

Detective Baek Haeryong, who was dispatched to the joint investigation team of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office probing allegations of external pressure on customs drug investigations, called on December 13 for the "Drug Gate" case to be investigated publicly.

Chief Inspector Baek Haeryong. Photo by Yonhap News

On the same day, Detective Baek wrote on his social media, "The prosecution continues to spread false information and deceive the public with distorted facts." He made this statement after the joint investigation team of prosecutors and police (the joint team) at the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, which is investigating the case, announced interim findings on December 9 stating the allegations were "groundless." However, Detective Baek has pushed back, claiming the investigation was inadequate, which has led to escalating internal conflict.

Detective Baek asserted, "The Drug Gate case, which occurred around January 2023, has been the subject of numerous disputes over the past three years, and now the entire public is aware of it." He added, "During that process, the evidence of the crime has faded, and most of the related evidence has been destroyed." He further stated, "The secrecy of the current investigation is no longer effective. It is now the public's rightful interest to know every detail of the investigation process into the Drug Gate case."

He also appealed, "The public is concerned that this devastating Drug Gate case will be buried," and urged, "Raise your voices for a public investigation before it is too late."

The joint investigation team was formed in June this year, after the inauguration of the Lee Jaemyung administration, to investigate the so-called Drug Gate case raised by Detective Baek. However, after about half a year of investigation, no evidence was found to substantiate the allegations, and police officials and customs officers who had been suspected were cleared of charges. The joint team believes that Detective Baek was misled by false statements from smugglers.

In response, Detective Baek disclosed parts of the investigation records, including a draft of the on-site verification report. It is reported that the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office sent an official letter to the National Police Agency's audit division requesting action against Detective Baek.