Prosecution Office transfers case against Baek Hae-ryong, accused of defaming customs employees, to police

[Financial News] The case involving Police Superintendent Baek Hae-ryong, who was sued after raising suspicions that customs employees were involved in drug smuggling and releasing investigative materials, has been transferred to the police.
According to the Prosecution Office on the 13th, the Seoul Southern Prosecution Office transferred to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency early this month a complaint against Superintendent Baek alleging public disclosure of alleged criminal facts, violation of the Personal Information Protection Act, and defamation.
Earlier, in 2023, Baek, then head of the Criminal Division at Seoul Yeongdeungpo Police Station, raised suspicions that employees of Incheon Airport Customs were involved while leading the investigation into a drug-smuggling case. He also alleged undue pressure on the investigation, citing the police leadership's transfer of the case to the Metropolitan Crime Investigation Unit and its order not to mention customs-related matters in media briefings.
Baek was later assigned to a joint investigation team at the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office (now the Seoul Eastern District Prosecution Office), and last February the team concluded its investigation, finding no grounds for charges regarding the allegations.
Three customs employees who were cleared of wrongdoing filed a complaint with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (now the Seoul Central Prosecution Office) last March, alleging that Baek had disseminated documents he obtained during the investigation that contained personal information, including family photos and home addresses, to outside parties.
Meanwhile, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office (now the Seoul Southern Prosecution Office) asked Baek's side to appear last August, but no questioning took place. Baek is currently on standby assignment and is also under an internal review by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
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