Prosecutor General Kim Osu: "No Contact Between Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department and Corruption Investigation Office, No Secrets in Republic of Korea"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo stated regarding the controversy over the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department seizing the official mobile phones of former and current Supreme Prosecutors' Office spokespersons without a warrant and the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (HOICA) taking them, which led to allegations of "subcontracted inspection," that "I confirmed with the Inspection Department, and they said there was no contact with HOICA. HOICA also said there was absolutely no such fact," adding, "There are no secrets in the Republic of Korea, so I hope people will trust what both agencies say."

On the afternoon of the 12th, Prosecutor General Kim met with chief reporters covering the legal sector at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office building and promised to improve the system to prevent recurrence of similar cases, making the remarks above.

He stated, "Freedom of the press, which has constitutional value like freedom of conscience, must be guaranteed to the fullest extent," and added, "We will institutionally supplement the inspection process and procedures."

Prosecutor General Kim explained, "According to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office inspection regulations, the Prosecutor General only receives the results and is not allowed to intervene, but if the Inspection Department's actions are clearly unfair or exceed their duties, I can order corrections or suspend their duties," and said, "If we specify this clause and include concerns of the press, I think the system can be completed institutionally."

Regarding concerns about the recurrence of similar cases, he said, "This is related to common sense and decency, so I believe those in the Inspection Department will not engage in such acts," and added, "If the inspection is clearly unfair, I will actively exercise the Prosecutor General's authority."

He explained, "When I was briefed, I heard that the phones were 'dummy phones' and had been formatted multiple times. I naturally thought that any residual information would be zero," and added, "However, it seems the Inspection Department acted out of an abundance of caution."

He further said, "If interpreted in good faith, perhaps they wanted to confirm that 'zero' is indeed 'zero.'"

However, Prosecutor General Kim did not apologize to the press, stating, "Since the inspection investigation is currently ongoing and it is a matter I cannot intervene in, mentioning an apology is burdensome and inappropriate."

Deputy Prosecutor General Park Sung-jin elaborated, saying, "The point of the fact-finding investigation is not about your communication content but to verify where the controversial materials came from."

He also said, "The forensic process is fully recorded," and added, "If necessary, we plan to disclose this to the current and former spokespersons and other stakeholders."

Previously, on the 29th of last month, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Division 3 (Chief Prosecutor Kim Deok-gon) seized the official spokespersons' mobile phones in a voluntary submission form and conducted forensic analysis, citing reasons such as investigating the 'allegations of instigated complaints' and the 'documents related to the mother-in-law of candidate Yoon Seok-youl.' Subsequently, on the 5th, HOICA, which is investigating the instigated complaints allegations, conducted a search and seizure of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department and secured forensic data from the official phones, sparking controversy over 'subcontracted inspection' and 'customized inspection.'

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