Former Minister Baek Woon-gyu Faces Detention Hearing... Denies Charges, Claims "Lawful Handling of Duties"

Former Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Baek Woon-kyu is moving to the Daejeon District Court courtroom on the afternoon of the 8th to attend a pre-trial detention hearing.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Former Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Baek Woon-gyu, who is accused of manipulating the economic feasibility evaluation of Wolsong Unit 1 nuclear power plant, appeared before the detention hearing on the 8th.

Former Minister Baek arrived at the Daejeon District Court around 2:10 p.m. that day. To the waiting reporters, he said, "The early closure of Wolsong Unit 1 was a national policy task prioritizing public safety, handled through lawful procedures based on laws and principles," and added, "I will sincerely participate in today's detention hearing." The pre-arrest suspect interrogation (detention hearing) for former Minister Baek is being conducted by Judge Oh Se-yong, who is in charge of warrants at this court. The decision on whether to issue the warrant is expected to be made as early as late afternoon on the same day.

Earlier, the 5th Criminal Division of the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Lee Sang-hyun) requested a pre-arrest warrant for former Minister Baek on charges of abuse of authority and obstruction of business. These charges relate to his improper involvement in the economic feasibility evaluation by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) prior to the closure of Wolsong Unit 1, and obstruction of KHNP's legitimate business as the operator of the Wolsong nuclear power plant. It is reported that former Minister Baek denied most of the allegations during the prosecution investigation.

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