Police Investigate Late Park Won-soon's Communication Records... Former Secretary-General Summoned as Witness (Comprehensive)

Consulting with Bereaved Families on Forensic Procedures
"Planned to Proceed Limited to Unnatural Death Cases"

On the morning of the 13th, the funeral ceremony for Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon is being held at the multipurpose hall of Seoul City Hall. Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The police investigating the circumstances of the death of the late Park Won-soon, former mayor of Seoul, plan to review call records along with digital forensics of his mobile phone. Park's phone has been identified as a crucial clue to resolving not only the sexual harassment allegations but also the controversy over the leak of the lawsuit filing.

On the 15th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency stated, "Along with forensic investigation, the process of applying for a communication warrant to check the deceased's phone call records is also underway simultaneously."

The police found and are currently holding one mobile phone at the location where Park was found dead. The model is an iPhone X, and it is reported to be locked. Due to the characteristics of the new iPhone model, unlocking it could take at least several months. The police are consulting with the bereaved family regarding the forensic process. Although the investigation procedure allows for forensic analysis even without the family's consent, the police intend to persuade the family as much as possible given the gravity of the matter.

In particular, this mobile phone has been regarded as the "smoking gun" containing information related to Park's sexual harassment allegations and his activities before death. It is also expected to provide clues to whether the fact of Park's lawsuit filing was actually leaked and, if so, through whom it was conveyed. However, the police drew a line by stating that the digital forensics and communication investigation are not being conducted to resolve such suspicions. A police official explained, "The investigation will be limited only to matters related to the death case."

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Seoul Seongbuk Police Station summoned Go Han-seok, former chief secretary to the Seoul mayor, as a witness for questioning. The police plan to sequentially investigate people around Park to ascertain the circumstances of his death. A police official said, "This is a natural procedure in the investigation of a death case."