Incheon customs officials, who faced allegations of involvement in drug smuggling, have filed a lawsuit against Police Superintendent Baek Hae-ryong for defamation and leaking personal information. This action comes after a joint investigation by the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office found no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of the customs officials and concluded that the allegations raised by Baek were unfounded. The allegations initially emerged when Baek accused the customs staff of being involved in a drug smuggling operation that saw 121.5 kg of narcotics imported from Malaysia between January and September 2023.

The controversy began when Superintendent Baek publicized the alleged misconduct during a legislative session in July 2024, claiming that outside pressures from the presidential office and police leadership halted the investigation into the smuggling case. Baek had joined the joint task force in October 2022 but left earlier this year amid conflicts with the team. The customs employees argue that Baek's actions have compromised their personal privacy and otherwise harmed their reputations, warranting legal action against him.

In response to the incident, the National Public Service Union Customs Branch held a press conference demanding an official apology from Superintendent Baek and the involved agencies. They maintained that the investigations had cleared the customs officials of any wrongdoing and insisted that there must be accountability for the accusations made by Baek, emphasizing the need for rectification of the damage done to the customs department's reputation.