"Unrestricted Access to Communication Data by the Corruption Investigation Office, State Violence Infringing on Press Freedom"…Human Rights Commission Complaint

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (HCIA) has come under suspicion of 'surveillance' after accessing the communication data of reporters, their families, and sources. In response, a civic group has filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission, claiming this act violates constitutional fundamental rights.

The Action Alliance for the Restoration of the Rule of Law (Beopse-ryeon) held a press conference on the morning of the 22nd in front of the Human Rights Commission in Jung-gu, Seoul, stating, "The HCIA's indiscriminate and unlimited access to specific individuals' communication data without a warrant, based on the Telecommunications Business Act, violates the principle of warrant requirement," and demanded, "We strongly urge the repeal of the relevant law as it clearly infringes on constitutional fundamental rights such as the secrecy and freedom of private life and the right to self-determination of personal information."

The group confirmed, "The HCIA accessed the communication data of over 70 reporters from 17 media outlets, foreign affairs experts who have never had phone calls with HCIA investigation targets, opposition party reporters, and research fellows from private diplomatic security institutes," and argued, "It is extremely shocking and a clear act of retaliatory illegal surveillance of civilians that the HCIA accessed the communication data of the family members, including the mother and younger sister, of TV Chosun reporter A, who reported critical articles about the HCIA, which is on a different level from previous communication data inquiries."

They added, "This incident creates fear that reporters who write articles critical of the HCIA or the administration and those who have phone calls with them may be surveilled by investigative agencies. As a result, sources may avoid contact with reporters, inevitably restricting the freedom of the press, which ultimately infringes on the public's right to know. This is a serious anti-constitutional and national disgrace incident that undermines the media's role in monitoring and criticizing the government. We urge the Human Rights Commission to immediately launch an investigation and swiftly issue a recommendation decision."