Appeared at the CIO for Mobile Phone Forensic Examination
"I Still Cannot Remember the Password"
On this day, Lim appeared at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) to attend the forensic examination of his mobile phone, where he made this statement. The CIO is currently investigating allegations of external pressure related to the death of Private First Class Chae of the Marine Corps.
When asked, "What kind of evidence do you expect to be found in today's forensic examination?" Lim responded, "A significant amount of evidence was already uncovered during the forensic analysis in August last year. The investigative authorities have examined everything, including the call logs and the group chat participants mentioned in connection with the exoneration lobbying allegations. The CIO should be aware that there was no such lobbying."
Regarding the mobile phone password, Lim added, "I still cannot remember it. I regret that I am unable to provide it."
Lim also insisted that "It must be clarified whether there was any illegality in the investigation conducted by the Marine Corps investigative team led by former Marine Corps Investigation Chief Colonel Park Junghoon into the death of Private Chae." He continued, "The case in which I accused Colonel Park of coercion has also been transferred to the Marine Corps investigative team and is under investigation. Before Colonel Park questioned me, he told me, citing Commander Kim Gyehwan's intentions, not to claim that there was no responsibility because operational control had been transferred to the Army. During the investigation, I could not assert that I had no responsibility due to the lack of operational control."
The CIO is investigating allegations that, during the process in July 2023 when the Marine Corps investigative team identified Lim and others as responsible for the death of Private Chae and referred the case to the police, former President Yoon Sukyeol, as well as officials from the Presidential Office and the Ministry of National Defense, exerted external pressure.
The CIO continued its investigation, including questioning officials from the Ministry of National Defense as witnesses until the end of November last year, but temporarily suspended the probe to focus on the investigation into the insurrection following the declaration of martial law. The investigation has recently resumed. At a regular briefing on April 22, a CIO official stated, "Colonel Park's trial has begun, and the verdict for the first trial has also been delivered. Since it is not possible to discontinue the investigation entirely, the investigation team has decided to set a timeline and proceed with the necessary procedures."
This is the second time since August last year that the CIO has conducted a forensic examination of Lim's mobile phone in his presence. The CIO seized Lim's phone in January last year, but was unable to unlock it as Lim claimed he could not remember the password, which has caused difficulties in the investigation.
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