Hanbyun Files State Compensation Lawsuit Over 'Corruption Investigation Office Communication Inquiry'

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The conservative-leaning lawyer group, Lawyers for Human Rights and Unification of Korea (Hanbyeon), is filing a state compensation lawsuit regarding the controversy over the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit's (Gongsoocheo) access to communication data.

On the 9th, Hanbyeon stated, "The surveillance actions by Gongsoocheo have caused intimidation and anxiety not only to the victims but also to many innocent ordinary citizens," and announced that it will submit a complaint seeking damages against the state to the Seoul Central District Court on the 10th.

Honorary Chairman Kim Tae-hoon, Vice Chairman Lee Heon, lawyers Woo In-sik, Park Joo-hyun, Kwon Oh-hyun, and KBS reporter Lee Young-poong are participating as plaintiffs in this lawsuit. All of them had their communication data accessed by Gongsoocheo.

Hanbyeon said, "They indiscriminately accessed personal information, which qualifies as private data, of lawyers and journalists who are neither subjects of Gongsoocheo investigations nor suspected of any crimes, without court approval," adding, "This caused intimidation and anxiety not only to the victims but also to many innocent ordinary citizens."

Previously, it was revealed that Gongsoocheo accessed communication data of reporters, their families and acquaintances, and opposition politicians, sparking a 'surveillance' controversy. In relation to this, the People Power Party filed a complaint with the prosecution on the 13th of last month against Gongsoocheo Chief Kim Jin-wook and Deputy Director Yeo Woon-guk for violations of the Telecommunications Business Act and abuse of authority.

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