'Baek Haeryong Team' Overcomes Recruitment Shortage with Additional Hires

Two Additional Investigators to Be Dispatched on the Afternoon of the 25th

The recruitment for Detective Baek Haeryong's investigation team within the joint investigation unit at the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, which is probing allegations of external pressure on the customs drug investigation, has been completed.

Detective Sergeant Baek Haeryong, who was assigned to the joint investigation team for the "Customs Drug Investigation Pressure Allegation," is answering reporters' questions as he arrives for his first day at the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office in Songpa-gu, Seoul on the 16th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to the police and other sources on the 25th, two police investigators who will be assigned to Detective Baek's team are scheduled to be confirmed later this afternoon. Previously, out of the four investigators dispatched to Baek's team, two returned to their original posts on the 14th of this month, the end date of their initial assignment, citing "personal reasons," leaving only three members on the team.

Subsequently, the National Police Agency recruited volunteers for Baek's team through an internal announcement, and the final selections are expected to be confirmed through the selection process this afternoon.

Detective Baek, who was dispatched to the joint investigation unit at the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office on the 15th of last month, had requested access to the Criminal Justice Information System (KICS) and a team size of 15 members. Although the initial assignment period ended on the 14th of this month, it has been extended until January 14 of next year.

The customs drug smuggling allegation case began when the Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul obtained testimony in January 2023 that customs officials were involved in the smuggling of approximately 74 kilograms of methamphetamine by suspects of Malaysian nationality, and launched an investigation. However, it is alleged that the Presidential Office, senior police officials, and senior officials at the Korea Customs Service exerted external pressure on the investigation in an attempt to cover up the case. At the time, Detective Baek was the chief of the criminal division at Yeongdeungpo Police Station and led the investigation. On the 12th of last month, President Lee Jaemyung instructed Lim Eunjung, the chief prosecutor at the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office and head of the investigation, to have Detective Baek join the joint investigation team, leading the police to dispatch him to the unit.

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