Prosecutors Finally Return Han Dong-hoon's iPhone Without Unlocking in 'Channel A Case'

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon is attending the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly on the 28th, providing a work report. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The prosecution, which dismissed the coercion attempt charges against Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon related to the 'Channel A incident,' has reportedly returned the minister's mobile phone, which had been seized as key evidence.

According to the legal community on the 7th, the Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (then Chief Prosecutor Lee Seon-hyeok) decided to dismiss the charges against Minister Han in April and return the mobile phone. Typically, when a suspect is cleared during an investigation, seized items must be returned to them.

During the investigation of the Channel A incident, the prosecution attempted to unlock Minister Han's mobile phone to determine whether there was collusion between former Channel A reporter Lee Dong-jae and Minister Han, but ultimately failed. The phone was an iPhone, and the issue was unlocking the password. Since the initial digital forensic attempt in June 2020, the prosecution was unable to access internal information for 22 months. They tried again in July last year but still could not unlock the phone. Eventually, after eight months, the prosecution judged that with current technology, further attempts to unlock the phone would be ineffective.

After delaying a conclusion for two years, the prosecution dismissed the charges against Minister Han following President Yoon Seok-yeol's election. The civic group that filed the complaint against Minister Han, the Citizens' Coalition for Democratic Media (MinEonRyeon), appealed the non-prosecution decision, but the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office rejected the appeal in June. MinEonRyeon has since filed a re-appeal with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.