Prosecutors' Office 'Communication Data Inquiry' Controversy... "Private Surveillance Is Unjust and Absurd"

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (Gong-su-cheo) has stated that it is unfair to label its retrieval of communication data of reporters from media legal teams as "private surveillance."

On the 13th, Gong-su-cheo explained through a statement, "Gong-su-cheo acquires necessary call records and other data within the minimum required scope through legal procedures for investigative purposes."

Earlier, accountant Kim Kyung-yul and some media outlets confirmed that Gong-su-cheo received basic information of Kim and affiliated reporters from telecommunications companies. During this process, it was also confirmed that Gong-su-cheo accessed communication data of some media reporters, leading to criticism that this was "media surveillance."

However, Gong-su-cheo detailed the communication investigation process and dismissed such claims emphasizing surveillance as "nonsense." They explained that it is merely a procedure to verify the owner of phone numbers that appear in call records of major suspects under investigation, not an investigation targeting specific individuals. In particular, they stated, "This procedure is likely applied similarly by other investigative agencies such as prosecutors and police," and added, "Gong-su-cheo acquires call records and other data within the minimum necessary scope through legal procedures and takes thorough measures in selection, storage, and destruction management."

However, they did not disclose which cases the reporters' communication data were accessed for or the period of access, citing ongoing investigations.

Meanwhile, the Action Alliance for the Restoration of the Rule of Law (Beopse-ryeon) held a press conference in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the afternoon of the same day, calling it "a very serious media suppression and illegal private surveillance aimed at gagging media critical of them," and filed a complaint against Gong-su-cheo Chief Kim Jin-wook and others for abuse of authority and obstruction of business at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.

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