Search Warrants... Summonses... The 'Geomun-Yuchak' Investigation Team in Trouble

Chief Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon (left) and Deputy Chief Prosecutor Jung Jin-woong. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] The investigation team probing the collusion between prosecutors and media is struggling with triple setbacks in securing evidence, summoning suspects, and analyzing seized items. Attention is focused on whether they can find a breakthrough to overturn the prosecution investigation review committee's recommendation to halt the investigation and not indict Prosecutor General Han Dong-hoon.

According to the legal community on the 31st, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office investigation team reportedly failed to secure meaningful evidence from the SIM card of Prosecutor Han's mobile phone, which was obtained on the 29th.

Jung Jin-ung, head of the Criminal Division 1 leading the investigation team, is understood to have tried to find evidence on this SIM card that Prosecutor Han conspired with former Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae to conduct threatening reporting.

Accordingly, the only option the investigation team can rely on is a direct summons and interrogation of Prosecutor Han, but even this is proving difficult. Prosecutor Han is refusing to comply with the summons, citing concerns over the fairness of the investigation, as a senior official at the Central District Prosecutors' Office has been named as a source in the 'KBS false report' case.

In response, Prosecutor Han's side publicly stated in a press release on the 30th that they are willing to respond to the summons if the investigation team provides a reasonable explanation. The 'leak of suspect facts' case is being investigated following a complaint from a civic group.

However, it will take physical time for the Central District Prosecutors' Office to swiftly investigate and identify the official responsible for leaking suspect facts and to clarify that the investigation team is unrelated. It is also unclear whether they will be able to announce results confirming 'no issues with the fairness of the investigation.'

Therefore, the investigation team seems to have no choice but to place their last hope on the forensic analysis of Prosecutor Han's mobile phone, which was previously secured. However, since Prosecutor Han has not provided the phone's lock password, the investigation team faces time pressure to technically crack the password.

A prosecution official said, "If the suspect does not comply with the summons, theoretically, measures such as arrest can be considered, but currently, such steps are not under review."

The recent court ruling that the seizure of two mobile phones and one laptop from former reporter Lee by Channel A officials was illegal also burdens the investigation team. Additionally, since Prosecutor Han has filed a complaint against Chief Prosecutor Jung for 'abuse of authority' and requested an internal investigation, there remains room to challenge the legality of the SIM card seizure procedure and the evidentiary value of evidence obtained through the SIM card.

Meanwhile, the investigation team, which considered applying additional charges of obstruction of official duties against Prosecutor Han related to the recent physical altercation, concluded that applying such charges would be difficult. They determined that there was no physical resistance by Prosecutor Han that could be regarded as assault.

Chief Prosecutor Jung, who immediately after the incident was hospitalized and declared his intention to sue Prosecutor Han for false accusation and defamation, has yet to take further action.

A prosecution official said, "As the person responsible for leading the investigation team, he is carefully considering the timing and content of legal actions, mindful of how filing a complaint against the investigation target might be perceived."

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