Police Complete Forensic Analysis of Park Won-soon's Mobile Phone

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] The police have completed the digital forensic analysis of the late Park Won-soon, former Mayor of Seoul's mobile phone after five months, and it is expected that the investigation into the circumstances of his death will proceed in earnest.

According to the police on the 23rd, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency finished the forensic work on Park's mobile phone, which resumed on the 17th, on the same day. The forensic work was reportedly conducted under the observation of representatives from Park's bereaved family and the Seoul city officials.

The mobile phone subjected to forensic analysis was an item found alongside Park's body. The police began the forensic process in July by unlocking the phone's password and proceeded with an 'imaging' operation to transfer the data intact to prevent any damage.

However, the forensic work was halted after about a week when the bereaved family filed a petition to the court requesting a suspension of the forensic process. The Seoul Northern District Court dismissed the petition on the 9th of this month, allowing the work to resume after five months.

It is reported that the data secured by the police through this forensic analysis is limited to clarifying the circumstances of Park's death, including KakaoTalk and text messages exchanged shortly before his death.

The police also applied twice for search warrants to use the forensic data to investigate allegations that officials in the secretariat aided and abetted Park's sexual harassment, but the court rejected both applications.

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