Baek, who took leave on the first day of dispatching the joint team
There is also the claim that “the joint investigation team is an illegal organization.”
The trend of discomfort continues due to a series of unexpected remarks.
‘Suspicion of external pressure in customs drug investigation’ Police officer Baek Hae-ryong, who was decided to be dispatched to the joint investigation team, is answering questions from reporters on his first day at the Eastern District Prosecutor’s Office in Songpa-gu, Seoul on the 16th. Yonhap News
On the 16th, Park Kyun-taek, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, “It is a wrong attitude for a public official” when police officer Baek Hae-ryong, who was dispatched to the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office’s joint investigation team on suspicion of external pressure in a customs drug investigation, took leave on the first day of his deployment. Within the ruling party, an uncomfortable atmosphere is felt over the fact that Inspector Baek, who was dispatched to the investigation team under the direction of President Lee Jae-myung, continues to make unrefined remarks, such as claiming that the investigation team is an “illegal organization.”
Rep. Park said on YTN radio that day, “(Baek Kyeong-eun) issued an order to dispatch to utilize her investigative skills and experience, but she did not participate diligently and kept insisting on conditions, which is not a desirable attitude for a public official.”
Rep. Park said, “(This case) has become a problem because I raised it, and there is a lot of public interest,” and added, “I hope that I can quickly dispatch the case and show my skills and properly carry out the investigation that I want to do.”
There is also an atmosphere of concern within the party about a repeat of Baek Kyung-jeong’s abrupt remarks. A member of the Democratic Party spoke with a reporter on the same day and said, “(Within the party) there are more critical opinions about Baek’s administration than the initial positive expectations.” He added, “Looking at the recent media-playing attitude, I am worried that the issues (raised by Baek’s administration) in the past may have been exaggerated.” He said, “If there is sincerity, wouldn’t it be enough to say that you will do more (investigation)?” Another member of the Democratic Party also said in a phone call, “It is wrong for the conflict to be exposed as soon as (the dispatch of Baek police) was announced,” adding, “Wouldn’t the people ask what this is?”
Suspicions of external pressure in the customs drug investigation began in February 2023 when Inspector Baek, while the head of the criminal division at the Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul, claimed that he was under “pressure from above” while trying to investigate a customs employee during an investigation into a methamphetamine smuggling case. On the 12th, President Lee ordered the dispatch of a police officer to the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office investigation team investigating the case. Officer Baek took annual leave on the 15th, the first day of his deployment, and did not come to work.
Inspector Baek met with reporters on the first day of work of the joint investigation team at the Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office in Songpa-gu, Seoul, and said, “The joint investigation team is an illegal organization,” and “This is the first time my faith is shaken as a public official.”
What proactive steps could the ruling party take to prevent similar conflicts of interest in future infrastructure project bids?
Table of Contents
- 1. What proactive steps could the ruling party take to prevent similar conflicts of interest in future infrastructure project bids?
- 2. Concern Over Baek Hae-ryong’s Conduct Amidst conflict with Lim Eun-jung: Ruling Party’s Worry Over Public Official’s Attitude
- 3. The Escalating Dispute: A Timeline of Events
- 4. Public Perception and the Impact on Party Image
- 5. The Ruling Party’s Internal Response: Damage Control Strategies
- 6. Legal Ramifications and Potential Investigations
- 7. The Role of lim Eun-jung: Motivations and Political Positioning
Concern Over Baek Hae-ryong’s Conduct Amidst conflict with Lim Eun-jung: Ruling Party’s Worry Over Public Official’s Attitude
The Escalating Dispute: A Timeline of Events
the ongoing conflict between Baek Hae-ryong, a prominent public official, adn Lim Eun-jung has rapidly escalated, triggering significant concern within the ruling party. The core of the dispute revolves around allegations of procedural irregularities in a recent infrastructure project bid – a project both officials were closely involved with. Here’s a breakdown of key events:
* September 15, 2025: Lim Eun-jung publicly questioned the bidding process for the seoul Metropolitan Railway Extension, hinting at potential favoritism.
* September 22,2025: Baek Hae-ryong responded with a strongly worded statement dismissing the allegations as “politically motivated” and “baseless.”
* October 5, 2025: Leaked documents surfaced appearing to corroborate some of Lim Eun-jung’s claims, specifically regarding communication logs between Baek hae-ryong’s office and the winning bid company.
* October 12, 2025: A televised debate between the two officials resulted in a heated exchange, with Baek Hae-ryong accused of aggressive and dismissive behavior.This is the primary source of the ruling party’s current anxiety.
Public Perception and the Impact on Party Image
The ruling party fears Baek Hae-ryong’s increasingly combative public stance is damaging their image.Initial polling data indicates a significant drop in public trust following the televised debate. Key concerns include:
* perception of Arrogance: Many viewers perceived Baek Hae-ryong as condescending and unwilling to address legitimate concerns. This has fueled accusations of elitism.
* Erosion of Trust: The conflict has amplified existing skepticism regarding government transparency and accountability.
* Negative Media Coverage: The story has dominated headlines, with media outlets consistently highlighting the negative aspects of Baek Hae-ryong’s responses. Public official conduct is now a major search term trending across Korean news platforms.
* social Media Backlash: Online forums and social media platforms are rife with criticism of Baek Hae-ryong, with hashtags like #BaekHaeRyongResign trending nationally.
The Ruling Party’s Internal Response: Damage Control Strategies
The ruling party is actively attempting to mitigate the damage. Several strategies are being considered:
- internal Inquiry: A formal internal investigation has been launched to examine the allegations surrounding the infrastructure project bid. The goal is to demonstrate a commitment to transparency.
- Public Relations Campaign: A PR campaign is underway to highlight the party’s achievements and emphasize its dedication to ethical governance.
- Counseling for Baek Hae-ryong: Party leaders have reportedly urged Baek hae-ryong to adopt a more conciliatory tone and undergo media training. The focus is on improving public official communication skills.
- Potential Reassignment: Discussions are taking place regarding a possible reassignment of baek Hae-ryong to a less public-facing role. This is seen as a last resort to minimize further damage.
Legal Ramifications and Potential Investigations
beyond the political fallout, the conflict could have legal consequences. The prosecution is reportedly reviewing the leaked documents to determine if there is sufficient evidence to launch a formal investigation into potential corruption or abuse of power. Key areas of scrutiny include:
* conflict of Interest: Whether Baek Hae-ryong had any undisclosed conflicts of interest related to the winning bid company.
* Influence Peddling: Whether any undue influence was exerted to favor a particular bidder.
* Document Tampering: Whether any documents were altered or concealed to obstruct the investigation. Korean legal system procedures are being closely followed.
The Role of lim Eun-jung: Motivations and Political Positioning
While the focus has largely been on Baek Hae-ryong’s conduct, Lim Eun-jung’s motivations are also under scrutiny. some analysts suggest that Lim Eun-jung is strategically leveraging the controversy to