Police Conduct Search and Seizure at Korea Communications Commission Over Alleged Leakage of Civil Petitioners' Information (Comprehensive)

The police have launched a compulsory investigation into allegations that an internal employee of the Korea Communications Standards Commission leaked a complainant's personal information.

On the morning of the 15th, the Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency sent investigators to the Korea Communications Standards Commission office in Mokdong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, to conduct a search and seizure.

The police are reportedly securing related materials from the commission's complaint office and IT team.

Earlier, Newstapa and MBC reported allegations that Chairman Ryu Hee-rim of the commission mobilized family members and acquaintances to file complaints against Newstapa's reports on the 'Kim Man-bae and Shin Hak-rim false interviews' and related cited reports. Opposition party-appointed commissioners and the labor union also raised concerns regarding the reports.

The commission stated that the reports were based on illegal leaks of complainants' personal information, and requested an investigation into unidentified employees suspected of leaking information for violating the Personal Information Protection Act, while initiating an internal audit.

Meanwhile, the case in which the Democratic Party of Korea filed a complaint with the prosecution on the 5th accusing Chairman Ryu of violating the Conflict of Interest Prevention Act was transferred to the Yangcheon Police Station in Seoul on the 10th. Accordingly, all controversies surrounding the commission are now under police investigation.

A Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official said at a regular press briefing that the decision to launch a compulsory investigation into the leaker is "a matter to consider after the (search and seizure)." Regarding opinions that the leaker might be exempt from liability under the Public Interest Whistleblower Protection Act, the official said, "If there are such aspects, we will review them."