Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday ordered a thorough investigation into suspicions that the office of former President Yoon Suk Yeol had exerted influence on the police’s probe into customs officials’ alleged involvement in drug smuggling.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the prosecution and police have been jointly looking into allegations that the presidential office under Yoon and high-ranking police officials tried to interfere with the police’s probe into suspected involvement by officials at the Incheon Customs Office in methamphetamine smuggling from Malaysia. “Lee ordered an independent and thorough investigation into the allegation,” the presidential office said in a notice to reporters.
Lee also called on Lim Eun-jeong, chief of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office, to add more prosecutors, if needed, for the ongoing probe in a bid to delve into the truth behind the case. In June, a joint investigation team launched a probe into allegations that the office of now-jailed former President Yoon and senior officials from the police and customs office had exerted undue influence in 2023 to interfere with the police’s probe.
Meanwhile, Lee instructed government ministries and agencies to actively cooperate with the National Assembly’s regular audit that will begin Monday. “Lee ordered the government to accept the National Assembly’s demands regardless of the ruling and opposition parties, including by taking immediate actions on what needs to be corrected,” the presidential office said. Lee also warned that government officials will be sternly reprimanded if they do not take actions without proper reasons despite the National Assembly raising issues, it added.