Police: "Official Letter Sent to President's Office to Preserve 'Bihwa Phone Server Data'"

Commissioner General of Police inherits confidential phone after inauguration
Seoul Police Chief receives it following 'Golf Course Report'

The police investigating the '12·3 Emergency Martial Law Incident' announced that they have sent an official request letter to the Presidential Office and the Presidential Security Service to preserve the Bihwaphone (secure mobile phone) servers.

President Yoon Suk-yeol. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 23rd, a representative of the Special Investigation Unit of the National Police Agency stated, "We sent the official letter because we were unable to execute the search and seizure warrant," and added, "It basically emphasizes that these records must not be deleted."

The Special Investigation Unit official explained regarding the Bihwaphones of the National Police Agency Chief and the Seoul Police Chief, "We understand that Police Chief Jo Ji-ho inherited his upon taking office," and "Seoul Police Chief Kim Bong-sik received his phone after the presidential golf course report in November due to security concerns, but returned it after the martial law declaration."

The Bihwaphones are issued and managed by the Security Service. These secure mobile phones are equipped with anti-tapping and call recording prevention programs, and the related server data is a key piece of evidence in the investigation.

The Special Investigation Unit official also said regarding the suspicion that about 80 investigative personnel at the Seoul Police Agency were on standby in the office after the emergency martial law declaration, "We are investigating."

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