Police Begin Digital Forensics on Yudonggyu's Mobile Phone... Will Key Evidence Emerge?

Yoo Dong-gyu, former Planning Director of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, is heading to Seoul Detention Center by a transport vehicle after attending a detention hearing (warrant review) at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 3rd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The police investigating the preferential treatment allegations in the Daejang-dong development project in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, have begun digital forensic analysis of the mobile phone of key figure Yoo Dong-gyu, former Planning Director of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation (52, in custody).

According to the police on the 12th, the dedicated investigation team of the Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency started the full-scale digital forensic procedure on Yoo's mobile phone. To prepare for the digital forensics, Mr. A, who acquired the phone, and Yoo’s lawyer came to the police station on the same day.

On the 29th of last month, when the prosecution conducted a search and seizure, Yoo threw his mobile phone out of the window, and a passerby, Mr. A, picked it up. The police secured the phone through analysis of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and inquiries. The phone is reported to be the latest model of the iPhone.

Considering the seriousness of the case, the police decided to send Yoo’s mobile phone to the National Police Agency’s Digital Forensic Center for forensic analysis.

Additionally, the police questioned Mr. A about the circumstances under which he acquired the phone. Mr. A reportedly denied any connection with Yoo, stating, "I happened to find it while walking." Yoo’s side has expressed willingness to cooperate with the forensic process. If the phone’s password is provided, the forensic analysis is expected to proceed more quickly.

However, since the phone was recently activated by Yoo, there are calls to secure his old phone as well. On the same day, the police summoned Lee Jong-bae, head of the Rule of Law Restoration Solidarity (Beopse-ryeon), who filed a complaint accusing the custodian of Yoo’s old phone of evidence concealment and other charges, for investigation as a complainant.

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