Prosecution Files Re-Appeal Against Decision to Cancel Search of Former Channel A Reporter... Supreme Court to Decide

Lee Dong-jae, former Channel A reporter identified as a key suspect in the 'alleged collusion between prosecutors and media,' is attending the warrant hearing held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 17th. The reporter is accused of threatening Lee Cheol, former CEO of Value Invest Korea (VIK), during his investigation of the 'Shinrajen scandal,' saying that if he did not report corruption suspicions involving Yoo Si-min, chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, he could face criminal disadvantages. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The investigation team at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, probing the 'alleged collusion between prosecutors and media,' has decided to file an objection against the court's ruling that the seizure and search of former Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae's (35, detained) mobile phone and laptop were illegal.

On the 27th, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office stated, "Considering the relevant regulations and existing procedures, we judge that the seizure and search in this case were lawful, and we plan to appeal the court's decision to accept the quasi-appeal."

This re-appeal is a procedure to contest the decision made by Judge Kim Chan-nyeon of the Criminal Division 31 of the Seoul Central District Court on the 24th, who ruled to cancel the seizure and search, stating, "It is no different from a case where the suspect requested the presentation of a warrant, but the investigative agency did not present it and seized the items."

Accordingly, the Supreme Court will re-examine the legality of the seizure and search. However, the final decision is not expected to significantly affect the investigation into former reporter Lee's alleged attempted coercion charges.

A prosecution official said, "The data was already formatted before the seizure, so it has no evidentiary value and was not used as a key material in the detention warrant review for former reporter Lee."

After allegations surfaced through media reports on March 31, former reporter Lee submitted two mobile phones and one laptop to the company during Channel A's internal investigation process.

Subsequently, on May 14, the Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Jeong Jin-ung) executed the seizure warrant by meeting a Channel A official at the Grand Hyatt Hotel and receiving the mobile phones and laptop.

Meanwhile, Lee's legal counsel requested the prosecution to return the seized items based on the court's decision on the same day, but the prosecution had already completed forensic work and returned the mobile phones and laptop to Channel A.

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