Prosecutors' Office: "Keyword 'Osu' in Kim Woong Search Refers to Kwon Osu, Not Kim Osu"... "Search Procedure Was Proper"

"People Power Party Lawmakers' Obstruction of Search and Seizure... Considering Legal Action"

On the 10th, Jeon Ju-hye, the floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, claimed that the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency's search and seizure of the computer in the office of Kim Woong, a member of the National Assembly from the People Power Party, was illegal. She showed photos related to keywords such as "Jo Guk," "Jaesu," "Geonhee," and "Osu," which were used during the search in connection with the 'accusation solicitation' suspicion.

[Asia Economy Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist Reporter] The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (HCIC) stated on the 12th that the keyword search conducted during the seizure and search of the computer in the office of Kim Woong, a member of the People Power Party, in connection with the 'accusation instigation' allegations was "legal and justified."

In particular, regarding the People Power Party linking the keyword 'Osu' to Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo, the HCIC explained, "The keyword in question is the name of Kwon Oh-soo, chairman of Deutsche Motors, who has no relation to Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo," expressing strong dissatisfaction with the People Power Party's allegations.

The HCIC made these claims through a statement titled 'Explanation and Position on the Keyword Controversy Regarding the Seizure and Search of Kim Woong's Office PC,' distributed to the press on the same day.

The HCIC pointed out, "The People Power Party claims that the keywords entered on the PCs of Representative Kim and his aides during the HCIC's search of Kim's office on the 10th are 'unrelated to the current accusation instigation case or the charges against Representative Kim.'

Furthermore, they allege 'illegal extraction of unrelated materials beyond the scope of the search warrant' and 'separate investigations,' and suspect that 'the HCIC might be collecting information on Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo whenever possible.' This is completely untrue and seriously damages the political independence and neutrality of the HCIC, which is approaching its eighth month since establishment, and infringes on the honor and pride of its prosecutors and investigators. We express serious concern and regret over this unilateral and unjust political assault," the statement said.

The HCIC clarified, "First, the keyword 'Osu' has no connection to Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo. The keyword refers to Kwon Oh-soo, chairman of Deutsche Motors, who has been implicated in allegations of stock price manipulation involving the wife of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl."

They added, "We do not know the background or reason why the People Power Party specifically mentioned the Prosecutor General and information gathering. Depicting the HCIC as a newly established investigative agency that secretly collects information or conducts background checks on someone by using the search as a pretext, without even attempting to verify this basic and simple fact, undermines public expectations and trust in the HCIC."

The HCIC emphasized, "Keyword searches during seizure and search procedures authorized by a court-issued warrant are not only legal and justified but also a common investigative procedure."

They stated, "The core of the investigation into the accusation instigation allegations is to accurately determine the authorship and transmission route of two complaints filed in April 2020. Therefore, extracting and securing relevant materials from the PCs of those involved is the ABC of investigating the authorship and transmission of the complaints."

Regarding the People Power Party's claim that the office building PC was issued after the 2020 general election and is unrelated to the case, and that the aides' PCs are unrelated, the HCIC explained, "Due to the nature of digital electronic devices, document work via external hard drives or emails can be done regardless of time or place, and it cannot be ruled out that electronic devices used or managed by Representative Kim might be in the annex office where the aides are located. Therefore, this aspect must also be verified through seizure and search."

The HCIC pointed out that the People Power Party members' use of physical force to obstruct the HCIC's seizure and search was illegal.

The HCIC said, "At the point when extraction work was about to begin in the presence of aides, the procedure could not proceed beyond the keyword input stage due to obstruction and restraint by many People Power Party members using force. This constitutes an act of obstructing the lawful investigative activities of an investigative agency executing a court-issued warrant and is clearly illegal."

The HCIC also stated during a briefing held that afternoon that legal measures regarding the obstruction of the seizure and search are under consideration.

The HCIC defended the seizure and search procedures, stating they have evidence to prove this.

The HCIC said, "The People Power Party raises issues about the notification procedure during the seizure and search, but before the seizure and search of the office building, the HCIC investigation team presented the search warrant, which included the office and annex, directly to Representative Kim in front of his residence. Representative Kim received, read, and reviewed the warrant in detail."

They added, "At the office building, the investigation team heard from Representative Kim's aides that 'the representative instructed cooperation,' asked about the appointment of legal counsel, and after hearing that 'the representative had authorized the agent,' accessed the PCs in the office guided by the aides."

The HCIC added, "The investigation team recorded the presentation and confirmation of the warrant to Representative Kim and his aides and secured audio recordings."

The HCIC requested the People Power Party to cooperate with the investigation procedures such as seizure and search and to stop baseless political assaults.

The HCIC said, "We plan to conduct an objective and fair investigation without any prejudice to swiftly uncover the substantive truth of the accusation instigation allegations raised by public suspicion. Since the People Power Party, a leading presidential candidate, and Representative Kim himself have expressed willingness to actively cooperate with the investigation before the public, we ask for cooperation so that the HCIC's lawful investigative procedures can proceed normally as promised."

They added, "We also ask for an end to baseless political assaults that seriously damage the honor and pride of the HCIC's prosecutors and investigators, who are striving to establish a new, human rights-friendly investigative practice and culture, moving away from outdated investigative methods of the past."

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