Prosecutors Conduct Search of 6 Ministry of Industry Affiliates and Former Minister Baek Woon-kyu's Office over 'Blacklist Allegations'

Investigation Completed for 4 out of 5 Key Figures
Summons for Former Minister Baek Expected Soon

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, which is investigating the blacklist allegations involving the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), has conducted a search and seizure of former Minister Baek Woon-gyu's office and affiliated organizations under MOTIE. Following the appointment of Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon, the prosecution has accelerated the investigation into the blacklist allegations, raising expectations that former Minister Baek will be summoned for questioning.

According to the prosecution on the 19th, the Corporate and Labor Crime Division of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Choi Hyung-won) has been conducting search and seizure operations since the morning at six MOTIE-affiliated organizations, including the Korea Energy Technology Evaluation Institute, Korea Petroleum Management Service, and Korea Coal Corporation, as well as at former Minister Baek's office at Hanyang University.

The prosecution has summoned and questioned four of the five key figures involved in the case, including former MOTIE Vice Minister Lee In-ho.

Meanwhile, the Liberty Korea Party, the predecessor of the People Power Party, filed a complaint in January 2019 accusing former Minister Baek and former Vice Minister Lee In-ho, among five others, of abuse of power. Former Minister Baek is suspected of pressuring existing presidents to resign in order to promote the nuclear phase-out policy.

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