Investigation Review Committee for Former Minister Baek Woon-gyu Likely to Be Held This Month... Charges Include Aiding Breach of Trust Causing 148.1 Billion KRW Damage to Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power

Former Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Baek Woon-kyu. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] The Prosecutorial Investigation Deliberation Committee (Investigation Deliberation Committee) is expected to be held this month to review whether to additionally indict former Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Baek Woon-gyu, who was prosecuted for alleged manipulation of the economic feasibility evaluation of the Wolseong Unit 1 nuclear power plant.

Attention is focused on what conclusion the Investigation Deliberation Committee will reach regarding the charges of aiding breach of trust and obstruction of business against former Minister Baek, whose prosecution was deferred by Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo's decision to convene the committee.

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office stated on the day a report emerged that "after deciding to convene the Investigation Deliberation Committee, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, which had delayed holding the current affairs committee for 38 days, plans to hold the Investigation Deliberation Committee this month," adding, "We are coordinating specific deliberation schedules related to the Investigation Deliberation Committee concerning the former Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy's alleged violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (breach of trust) and other charges," and "We will proceed with necessary procedures according to relevant guidelines."

Earlier, the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office indicted former Minister Baek on June 30 on charges including abuse of authority and obstruction of rights. At that time, the investigation team also intended to apply charges of aiding breach of trust against Baek for instructing Jeong Jae-hoon, President of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), but Prosecutor General Kim deferred prosecution and ordered the convening of the Investigation Deliberation Committee to decide on prosecution.

President Jeong has already been prosecuted on breach of trust charges for causing approximately 148.1 billion KRW in damages to KHNP by manipulating evaluation results to appear economically unfeasible following Baek’s immediate shutdown order, deceiving the board of directors, and leading to a resolution for immediate shutdown.

Typically, the Investigation Deliberation Committee is held one to two weeks after its convening is decided, but the timing of the committee for former Minister Baek has not been set for over a month, leading to criticism that Prosecutor General Kim is deliberately delaying the convening to avoid indictments that could burden the Blue House.

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office recently responded to a query from Kim Do-eup, a member of the People Power Party, stating, "We are reviewing the matter considering various circumstances such as the second half of the year prosecutorial personnel reshuffle and the escalation of COVID-19 alert levels."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.