Han Donghoon Claims "President Lee Is Responsible for Handing a Knife to Baek Haeryong, Who Should Be Taking Medication"

Han Donghoon Holds President Accountable Over Baek Haeryong's Internal Disclosure
Prosecution Responds: "Personal Statement, Not Official Position"

Former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon has held President Lee Jaemyung accountable in connection with the controversy surrounding Police Inspector Baek Haeryong, who is under investigation for alleged involvement in customs drug trafficking.

Former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon has held President Lee Jae-myung accountable in connection with the controversy surrounding Police Inspector Baek Haeryong, who is under investigation for alleged involvement in customs drug trafficking.

On the 16th, Han posted on his social media, stating, "It was President Lee Jaemyung who handed a knife to someone who should be taking medication," and added, "If the outcome of the Baek Haeryong show is revealed, President Lee, who acted as both casting director and director, must take responsibility." This statement was made in response to Inspector Baek's recent move to independently distribute a press release, claiming there was "distortion in the investigation" within the joint investigation team.

On the 14th, Inspector Baek sent a 12-page A4 document to the media, alleging that the joint investigation team was pressuring Malaysian drug couriers to overturn their previous statements. He also announced plans to revisit the "allegations of external interference in the drug investigation" from which he had previously been excluded. Lim Eunjeong, Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, had previously excluded Baek from participating in the investigation on the grounds that, as the person who reported the case to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, his involvement would constitute a conflict of interest.

Inspector Baek has claimed that, while investigating a methamphetamine smuggling case at Yeongdeungpo Police Station in 2023, he found evidence implicating Incheon Customs officials. He also raised suspicions that the Presidential Office and related agencies attempted to block the investigation. However, the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office drew a clear line, stating, "The materials submitted by Inspector Baek were not coordinated with the prosecution." The joint investigation team's direction also remains unchanged.

Some have pointed out that the recent press release, distributed by Inspector Baek in his personal capacity rather than as a member of the team-despite effectively serving as the team leader-reveals internal confusion within the organization.

Inspector Baek was dispatched to the joint investigation team in October at the direction of President Lee Jaemyung, and the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office granted him considerable discretion. At that time, Han Donghoon also strongly criticized Chief Prosecutor Lim Eunjeong, saying, "Handing a knife to someone lost in delusion only encourages indiscriminate violence."

Meanwhile, Inspector Baek recently announced that his dispatch to the joint investigation team has been extended until January next year and has requested that the size of the investigation team be increased to at least 15 members. However, the prosecution has refrained from commenting, stating, "The prosecution's position remains unchanged" regarding both his request and the content of the press release.

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