Prosecution Analyzes Former Channel A Reporter’s Laptop Ahead of Indictment, Focuses on Securing Evidence of Conspiracy with Han Dong-hoon

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The investigation team probing the 'alleged collusion between prosecutors and media' is intensifying efforts to secure evidence supporting the involvement of Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon just two days before the detention period of former Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae expires.

According to the legal community on the 3rd, the Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Jeong Jin-ung) plans to attempt another analysis of Lee's laptop on the 4th and has requested the presence of his defense counsel during the process.

The prosecution had previously analyzed this laptop once but failed to secure any significant evidence. The investigation team itself stated, "The data was already formatted before seizure, so it holds no evidentiary value." However, the team believes that forensic results from another recovery program might yield something upon analysis.

Nonetheless, both the seizure and forensic analysis of this laptop have been declared invalid, so even if evidence is found, it remains uncertain whether it will be recognized as admissible. The investigation team executed the search warrant on May 14th by meeting a Channel A official at the Grand Hyatt Hotel and receiving the device.

Judge Kim Chan-nyeon of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 31 ruled on the 24th of last month to partially accept the preliminary injunction filed by former reporter Lee, deciding to "cancel the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office's seizure of two mobile phones and one laptop."

Judge Kim stated, "The prosecution did not present the warrant to former reporter Lee and his defense counsel from beginning to end regarding the warrant-related disposition," declaring that all actions from seizure to forensic analysis are invalid.

The investigation team has filed an appeal to the Supreme Court against this decision. Citing this, they have not accepted Lee's request to delete the forensic results, arguing that the search and seizure remain valid. Lee's defense counsel said, "It is clear that the evidence was collected illegally, so we are considering whether to participate."

Meanwhile, the Prosecutorial Investigation Deliberation Committee, which related parties have repeatedly requested to convene regarding this investigation, is unlikely to be held again.

The chairman of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Citizens' Committee decided on the 30th of last month not to hold a sub-deliberation committee and to conclude related procedures concerning the requests to convene the investigation deliberation committee submitted by Prosecutor Han, the Citizens' Coalition for Democratic Media, and the Action Alliance for Establishing the Rule of Law (Beopse-ryeon).

When suspects or other parties related to a case request the convening of the investigation deliberation committee, the citizens' committee of the relevant prosecutor's office first holds a sub-deliberation committee to decide whether to refer the case to the investigation deliberation committee.

Han's request was rejected because a committee with the same content had already been held, and the requests from the Citizens' Coalition for Democratic Media and others were dismissed due to lack of authority to request convening.

The 'alleged collusion between prosecutors and media' investigation deliberation committee was held once on the 24th of last month at the request of Lee Cheol, former CEO of Value Invest Korea (VIK), who claimed to have been threatened by former reporter Lee. The committee recommended prosecution for former reporter Lee and suspension of investigation and non-prosecution for Prosecutor Han.