As Debate Continues Despite 'Not Guilty' Ruling... Chief Prosecutor Lim Eunjung Calls It "A Korea Customs Service Issue Under the Lee Administration"

Chief Prosecutor Lim Also Mentions Prosecutor General Jeong Yumi, Who Was "Demoted"

Eum Jeong Lim, Chief Prosecutor of Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office Photo by Yonhap News

Chief Prosecutor Eum Jeong Lim of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office (30th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute), who cleared customs officials of drug smuggling allegations, stated on social media on December 14, "This is an issue for the Korea Customs Service under the Lee Jaemyung administration," and called on the Korea Customs Service to provide an explanation and promote institutional improvements.

On the same day, Chief Prosecutor Lim posted on Facebook that after announcing the investigation's not-guilty findings, she had sent an email with this request to the head of the Korea Customs Service.

She said, "President Lee Jaemyung criticized the Korea Customs Service during a recent work report," and added, "Since the President was highly interested in this case, he would have been briefed in detail on the investigation results, so this matter is not unrelated."

She continued, "While customs authorities cannot catch every drug smuggler, the fact that so many citizens are raising questions and feeling uneasy means we expect appropriate action from the Korea Customs Service."

As backlash continues from Superintendent Baek Haeryong and some supporters of the ruling party over the not-guilty decision, Chief Prosecutor Lim's remarks are interpreted to mean that the prosecution's investigation was legitimate and that it is the Korea Customs Service's responsibility to address public concerns.

On the same day, Superintendent Baek posted on Facebook that "even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Korea Customs Service did not reduce personnel or reorganize its structure, nor was there a shortage of drug enforcement equipment."

Meanwhile, Chief Prosecutor Lim also commented on the same day via Facebook about Prosecutor Jeong Yumi (Research Fellow at the Legal Research and Training Institute, 30th class), who was effectively "demoted" in the latest Ministry of Justice personnel changes to a high prosecutor-level position at a high prosecutors' office.

She said, "In February 2018, I was present when then-Deputy Chief Prosecutor Yoon Daejin of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office suggested that Jeong Yumi go abroad for policy training. When she revealed this, I, as her peer, asked her to be cautious in her words and actions," adding, "After overcoming that ordeal, I became convinced that the truth will eventually come out and justice will prevail."

She went on to say that the prosecution, like the courts, should introduce a rotation system so that even after becoming a chief prosecutor, one could return to work as a division chief, and added, "I am also preparing myself for that possibility."