[전국]Former Minister Paik Woon-gyu “closed nuclear power plant due to due process”…Write examination for 5 hours

[앵커]

In connection with the prosecution’s investigation of the suspicion of early closure of Wolseong nuclear power plant 1, a warrant is being held at the Daejeon District Court to determine whether the former Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Paik Woon-kyu is arrested.

With the prospect of a turning point in the nuclear power plant investigation, Secretary Baek denied the allegations, claiming that the business was handled according to legal procedures.

We will connect reporters to learn more. Reporter Hwang Bo-yeon!

Former Minister Paik Woon-gyu’s warrant is still being reviewed?

[기자]

Yes, there are nearly five hours of interrogation on former Minister Baek.

The substantive examination of the warrant is being conducted in the 301 court of the Daejeon District Court.

Before entering court, former Minister Baek briefly made a brief statement on the prosecution’s investigation.

He said that the early closure of Wolsong Unit 1 was a national task with the safety of the public as a top priority, and that the business was handled based on laws and principles.

Let’s hear it yourself.

[백운규 / 전 산업통상자원부 장관 : 월성 1호기 조기 폐쇄는 국민의 안전을 최우선으로 한 국정과제였습니다. 제가 장관 재임 때 법과 원칙에 근거하여 적법 절차로 업무를 처리하였습니다.]

There are two charges the prosecution has applied to former Minister Baek.

First of all, it is accused of’obstructing the exercise of the rights of abuse of authority’ for exerting unreasonable pressure on Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power.

The board of directors of KHNP was involved in the process of evaluating the economic feasibility of deciding to close the Wolsong nuclear power plant early and shutting it down immediately.

The other is a charge of’obstruction of business’ for interfering with the legitimate business of KHNP, the main body of the Wolseong nuclear power plant.

[앵커]

Isn’t it analyzed that the arrest of former Minister Baek will have a significant impact on the prosecution’s investigation of the nuclear power plant suspicion?

[기자]

Yes, it is.

When the prosecution launched an investigation in November of last year, the prosecution repeatedly emphasized that it is looking for violations of the law in the policy enforcement process or audit process, not the right or wrong of nuclear power plant policy.

However, when looking at the results of the audit of the Audit Office, which was the basis for the investigation, Baek Jeon is specified as a key person involved in the evaluation process.

It is written that it was involved in the evaluation of the nuclear power plant’s economic feasibility, which hindered the credibility of the work, and that at least the result was known or sufficiently known but left it alone.

Therefore, if the court comprehensively judges the evidence secured by the prosecution and decides that it is not a matter requiring arrest, the prosecution’s investigation is likely to lose the justification and power.

There is also a high possibility that criticism from the politicians and the like of’unreasonable investigation’ will also pour.

Conversely, if an arrest warrant is issued, the prosecution’s investigation will speed up.

The indictment of public officials from the Ministry of Industry, which was handed over to the trial earlier, contained a number of documents reported by the Blue House among the deleted data.

Therefore, the prosecution is expected to summon and investigate the Blue House personnel who were involved in the decision to close the Wolseong nuclear power plant early, such as Chehee-bong, then the Blue House industrial policy secretary.

It is expected that Baek will be arrested late tonight.

So far, this is YTN Hwang Bo-yeon in the nationwide department.

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