[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The prosecution recently unlocked the mobile phone of Prosecutor Investigator A, who died while under investigation for the Blue House 'commanded investigation and election interference' allegations, drawing attention to future investigation developments.
According to legal circles on the 30th, the National Digital Forensic Center (NDFC) of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office unlocked the password of Investigator A's mobile phone, an 'iPhone X (Ten)'. It took four months since the unlocking process began.
The Supreme Prosecutors' Office also informed the Seoul Seocho Police Station of this fact on the same day. The police explained that from 2 p.m. that day, they were "analyzing forensic data with the prosecution."
The police are also reportedly considering whether to reapply for a search warrant for the mobile phone.
Previously, the prosecution and police had a standoff over Investigator A's mobile phone. The police secured the phone first while investigating Investigator A's death case, but the Public Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, which is investigating the 'commanded investigation and election interference' case, obtained a search warrant from the court and took the phone.
Subsequently, the police applied twice for a search warrant to retrieve Investigator A's mobile phone, citing the need to clarify the cause of death, but the prosecution dismissed the applications, stating it was difficult to acknowledge signs of homicide.
Investigator A was found dead on December 1 last year, just before his scheduled appearance at the prosecution. On the day of his death, he was supposed to be questioned as a witness at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office regarding the so-called 'Kim Ki-hyun intelligence' case.
Investigator A worked as an administrative officer under former Blue House Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Baek Won-woo and was identified as a key witness related to the accusation case against former Ulsan Police Chief Hwang Un-ha.
Meanwhile, the prosecution has postponed follow-up investigations into the commanded investigation and election interference allegations until after the April 15 general election next month. The first trial for former Secretary Baek and former Chief Hwang, who have already been indicted, is scheduled for the 23rd of next month.
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