President Lee Pushes for Special Investigation into Customs Drug Case

President Lee Jae-myung has recently urged members of the Democratic Party's leadership to expedite the establishment of a special investigation into the alleged external pressure on customs drug investigations. This initiative is expected to be operational soon. Unlike the general special investigations related to insurrection, Kim Geon-hee, and Chae Haebyeong that the Democratic Party recently passed in the National Assembly, this special investigation is a separate, permanent one. Political analysts suggest that President Lee and the Democratic Party are keen to utilize all available 'special investigation cards' to thoroughly investigate allegations related to the Yoon Seok-yeol administration early in their term.

On June 9, Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Young-kyo mentioned in an MBC radio interview that President Lee had discussed the need for a permanent special investigation into drug-related issues. She stated, "There is a drug special investigation under the permanent special investigation. We need to request this quickly, and the President should appoint and proceed with the special investigation." This conversation reportedly took place during a dinner hosted by President Lee at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, where he invited lawmakers who were part of the party leadership during his tenure as party leader. It is unusual for a president to publicly mention the necessity of a permanent special investigation, especially when a ruling party member discloses such information.

The 'drug special investigation' referred to by Seo pertains to the allegations of external pressure on customs drug investigations that emerged during the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. The allegations suggest that there was interference from high-ranking police officials during the investigation of customs employees involved in drug cases, with claims that this pressure originated from the presidential office under Yoon Seok-yeol. The ruling party has raised suspicions that Lee Jong-ho, linked to the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case, is behind these allegations, with further claims implicating Kim Geon-hee.

Last August, the National Assembly, led by the Democratic Party, held a hearing to investigate these allegations. Ultimately, a permanent special investigation proposal was introduced and passed in the National Assembly in March, leading to the formation of a candidate recommendation committee for the special investigation. According to the established procedures, the president should request the committee to recommend two candidates, from which one would be appointed. However, the then-acting president Han Duck-soo did not make this request, resulting in the delay of the special investigation's appointment. President Lee has now indicated his intention to proceed with the necessary steps for candidate recommendations. Nonetheless, some political figures question the need for a permanent special investigation, suggesting that the issues could be addressed through the three special investigations passed in the National Assembly or through police and prosecution inquiries.