Police Secure Secret Phones of Security Chief and Security Headquarters Director... Considering Reapplication for Arrest Warrants

The police have secured encrypted phones belonging to Kim Seong-hoon, Deputy Director of the Presidential Security Service, and Lee Kwang-woo, Head of the Security Headquarters.

Kim Sang-hoon, Deputy Director of the Presidential Security Service, appeared as a witness at the first hearing of the "Special Committee on the National Assembly Investigation into the December 3 Emergency Martial Law Incident" held at the National Assembly on the 22nd, responding to Chairman Ahn Kyu-baek's request for cooperation with the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Division's search of the presidential residence. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

A representative from the Special Investigation Unit of the National Police Agency's Criminal Investigation Headquarters told reporters on the 3rd, "We have seized both work and personal mobile phones from their residences," adding, "The encrypted phones are included." Encrypted phones are mobile devices equipped with anti-tapping and call recording prevention programs.

The Special Investigation Unit representative expressed regret over the prosecution's rejection of the arrest warrant for Deputy Director Kim, stating, "There is basically sufficient evidence of criminal charges, and concerns about evidence tampering exist," and added, "We will actively consider reapplying after supplementary investigations."

Currently, the police are attempting to conduct a search and seizure at the Security Service office. Investigators dispatched to the scene are on standby and are negotiating with the Security Service regarding the search and seizure.