Police Unlock Late Park Won-soon's Phone Password... Tip from Victim's Side (Comprehensive)

Digital Forensics Initiated... Limited to Cause of Death
Additional Warrant Needed to Investigate Sexual Harassment Allegations

Kim Jae-ryeon, Chief Attorney at Law Firm On-Sesang (second from left), is speaking at the "Second Press Conference on the Sexual Violence Case by the Mayor of Seoul" held at a press conference room in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 22nd. From left, Gomi-kyung, Executive Director of Korea Women's Hotline, Attorney Kim, Song Ran-hee, Secretary General of Korea Women's Hotline, Kim Hye-jung, Deputy Director of Korea Sexual Violence Counseling Center, and Lee Mi-kyung, Director of Korea Sexual Violence Counseling Center. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The police have unlocked the password of the mobile phone belonging to the late Park Won-soon, former mayor of Seoul, and have begun digital forensic work.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 22nd that, with the participation of the late Mayor Park's family representatives and the Seoul city officials, they have unlocked the mobile phone password and are conducting digital forensic investigations.

This mobile phone was used by the late Mayor Park for official business, and the model is an iPhone XS. The police had previously found and seized the phone near the Seoul Bugaksan Fortress Wall Trail where the late Mayor Park was found deceased on the 10th.

After receiving the phone from the Seoul Seongbuk Police Station on the 17th, the Seoul Police Agency succeeded in unlocking the phone within five days. Initially, considering the iPhone's security features, it was expected that unlocking would take several months, but the quick unlocking was reportedly possible because lawyer Kim Jae-ryeon, who is the legal representative of the victim, provided the password used by the late Mayor Park.

It is anticipated that this mobile phone contains circumstances that could clarify the cause of death of the late Mayor Park. However, the current digital forensic investigation can only be conducted in a limited manner to clarify the circumstances of the death. Additional warrants are required to examine the phone regarding allegations of aiding sexual harassment or the leaking of accusations. The police had previously applied for a search warrant to seize the phone in connection with the sexual harassment aid allegations, but the court rejected the warrant on the same day, stating that "there is insufficient necessity for the search and seizure."

A police official said, "We have unlocked the phone password and are proceeding with the forensic procedures," adding, "Once the analysis is completed, we will secure the data through a selection process and continue the investigation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.