Baek Hae-ryong, a police officer who raised allegations of external pressure in a customs drug investigation, has been placed on leave. The police explained that this action was taken at the request of the internal inspection department, but Baek has expressed opposition, stating that he has effectively been removed from his duties while the verification process for the first chief of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency is underway.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, Baek was assigned to the Planning Division of the Police Administration Bureau as of today. He has been serving as the head of the Hwajeong District Police Station in Gangseo, Seoul.
A police official stated, "This is a measure taken at the request of the inspection function." Baek is under investigation for allegedly leaking investigation records related to the customs drug case and for sharing unredacted materials with the media and on social media.
Previously, a joint investigation team from the Eastern District Prosecutor's Office, which was looking into allegations of drug smuggling involving customs officials, requested disciplinary action against Baek, claiming he violated various laws and leaked investigation information during his assignment. The Seoul Metropolitan Police began its internal investigation in January. The results of the investigation and the specifics of any disciplinary measures have not yet been disclosed.
Baek raised questions about the timing of his leave. He stated on Facebook, "I have been undergoing the candidate verification process since August 28, following a recommendation from the public, and I am currently being vetted by the Presidential Office."
He continued, "At a time when the personnel verification is in full swing, the Seoul Metropolitan Police ordered me to be on leave, effectively excluding me from my current position and initiating disciplinary procedures."
Baek also inquired whether Park Jeong-bo, the chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police, was aware of his candidacy and the verification process. He asked, "If you knew, why now?" He requested clarification on who issued the order for his leave and the basis for any disciplinary requests, but he received no response.
Concerns have also been raised about a potential connection between this personnel action and the controversy surrounding the transfer of the 2023 customs drug investigation. Park was in a supervisory position when the transfer was considered while serving as the deputy chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police.
Baek noted, "At that time, the chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police was Kim Kwang-ho, and the judgment and directives from the chain of command, including Kim Bong-sik, the head of the investigation department, and Park Jeong-bo, the deputy chief, were publicly questioned." He added, "Now, three years later, I am receiving a leave of absence while Park, who was the deputy chief at that time, is the chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police."
Baek expressed concern that the leave of absence could affect his eligibility for the chief position of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency. He stated, "I cannot help but strongly question whether this is being used as a means to exclude me from candidacy. I will not avoid the verification and disciplinary procedures, but the public recommendation and the official verification process of the state should be respected until the verification is complete."
However, there has been no official confirmation from the government regarding Baek's inclusion in the candidate pool for the chief of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency. The claim of a connection between his leave of absence and the candidate verification remains an allegation raised by Baek.
Baek previously worked as the head of the Criminal Investigation Division at the Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul, investigating allegations of collusion between a Malaysian drug smuggling organization and customs officials at Incheon International Airport. He has claimed that he faced external pressure from police leadership during the investigation.
Baek joined the joint investigation team established at the Eastern District Prosecutor's Office in October of last year but ended his assignment after about three months, expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of effective investigative authority granted by the leadership, including Im Eun-jung, the chief prosecutor.
In February, the joint investigation team announced its final findings, concluding that the allegations of involvement by customs officials raised by Baek were unfounded. They also criticized Baek for allegedly directing the investigation away from the actual truth.
In response, Baek filed a complaint against Chief Prosecutor Im last month, claiming that the public announcement of the investigation results defamed his character and damaged his reputation, citing abuse of authority and defamation.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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