Yoon Seok-yeol Warns Opposition Over Accessing Communication Data: "Will Hold Accountable for Turning into Investigation Target"

People Power Party Confirms Communication Data Inquiry for 71 Affiliated Lawmakers

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, criticized the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (HOICA) on the 29th for mass-checking communication data of opposition politicians and journalists, saying, "Based on what has been revealed so far, HOICA has already fallen into the target of investigation." The People Power Party stated that it has been confirmed that communication records of more than two-thirds of its members have been checked so far.

On the same day, through social media (SNS), Candidate Yoon said, "Looking at HOICA, one comes to think that the regime must be changed no matter what. New circumstances are emerging daily, including illegal surveillance of civilians following opposition politicians and journalists," and promised, "If I become president, I will definitely hold those responsible for HOICA's illegal acts accountable."

According to the People Power Party's current findings, out of 105 affiliated lawmakers, communication records of at least 71 have been checked by HOICA and others. HOICA checked 70, Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office 20, and Incheon District Prosecutors' Office 54. Previously, the People Power Party announced that 60 had been checked the day before, so 11 more were added in one day. It was also revealed that communication records of 16 aides to lawmakers were checked.

Regarding this, Candidate Yoon stated, "They created an investigative agency for high-ranking officials, but instead of doing what they are supposed to, they are playing the role of the domestic part of intelligence agencies from the authoritarian regime era," and insisted, "HOICA must confess to the people what it has done."

He also criticized the silence of President Moon Jae-in and Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate. Candidate Yoon pointed out, "President Moon Jae-in, who shouted that HOICA must be established, and the Democratic Party, why is there no word at all?" and asked, "Why are those who fiercely criticized intelligence agencies' communication data checks in the past silent about HOICA?"

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