Investigation Review Committee for Baek Woon-gyu Ends After About 4 Hours... Results to Be Announced Soon

Former Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Baek Woon-kyu Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The Prosecutorial Investigation Deliberation Committee, held on the 18th to determine whether to apply additional charges such as breach of trust instruction against former Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Baek Woon-gyu, who was indicted on suspicion of manipulating the economic feasibility evaluation of Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1, ended after about four hours.

According to the Investigation Deliberation Committee, the meeting, which started at 2 p.m., ended around 6:15 p.m. The committee members, composed of external experts, reviewed whether to add breach of trust instruction charges based on written opinions within 30 pages of A4 submitted by both the investigation team and former Minister Baek's side.

The investigation team presented the opinion that former Minister Baek had the intent to cause damage to Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) and provide benefits to a third party, constituting breach of trust. On the other hand, former Minister Baek's side reportedly argued that the early shutdown of the nuclear power plant was a policy decision and that the beneficiary was unclear, so the breach of trust charge could not be established.

Former Minister Baek was already indicted in June on charges of abuse of authority, obstruction of rights exercise, and obstruction of business for allegedly obtaining KHNP's intention to shut down Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant early. At the time of indictment, the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office investigation team intended to apply charges of breach of trust and obstruction of business instruction as well, but due to differences in opinion with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office leadership, the Investigation Deliberation Committee was convened.

The Investigation Deliberation Committee reportedly completed the procedure of hearing both sides' statements and proceeded with deliberation and voting. The committee is expected to announce the results soon. The investigation team is not obligated to follow the committee's recommendations. However, since this committee was held to resolve differences between the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the investigation team, it is expected to have a decisive impact on whether the investigation team will indict.

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