Following Asahi, Tokyo Shimbun Also Demands Explanation from Corruption Investigation Office on Communication Data Inquiry

The Tokyo Shimbun reported on the 31st, citing Korean media reports that the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) established by the Moon Jae-in administration has been extensively collecting telecommunications information of about 200 people, including journalists, opposition party lawmakers, and legal professionals. The report also stated that one of their own reporters was included among those targeted. The photo is a capture of the article posted on the Tokyo Shimbun website. Photo by Tokyo Shimbun.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Following the Asahi Shimbun, the Tokyo Shimbun also demanded a public explanation, claiming that the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (Gongsoocheo) collected communication data of its employee.

On the 31st, the newspaper reported in both its print and online editions that Gongsoocheo had accessed the communication data of a Korean staff member belonging to its Seoul bureau last August, suggesting that this could be an inappropriate data collection threatening freedom of the press.

The bureau member requested information disclosure from the telecommunications company on the 24th and received the notification of the results the day before. According to the notification, Gongsoocheo accessed the bureau member's name, resident registration number, and other information on August 6 of this year. The Tokyo Shimbun did not specify whether the bureau member was a journalist.

The stated purpose of the inquiry was "information collection under Article 83 of the Telecommunications Business Act to prevent harm to trials, investigations, execution of sentences, or national security."

The newspaper reported that Gongsoocheo had accessed communication data of a Korean reporter from the Asahi Shimbun among Japanese media and published a comment in the name of the editorial department demanding "an explanation from Korean authorities regarding the circumstances and reasons for the inquiry."

Earlier, the Asahi Shimbun reported that Gongsoocheo had accessed communication data of a Korean reporter from its Seoul bureau twice in July and August this year and demanded a public explanation. The Asahi Shimbun also reported that it had received a written response from Gongsoocheo regarding this matter.

According to the response, Gongsoocheo stated, "The inquiry request was unavoidable to verify who the suspect's call counterpart was, lawfully obtained with court approval," but regarding detailed information, the newspaper reported that Gongsoocheo expressed the position, "Please understand that it is difficult to respond as the investigation is currently ongoing."

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