Collection of Classified Phone Records, CCTV Footage, and Internal Call Logs
As the special prosecutor bills aimed at investigating former President Yoon Suk-yeol's alleged insurrection and the controversy over external pressure in the death of Marine Corporal Chae pass the National Assembly, both the prosecution and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) are accelerating their investigations before the launch of the special prosecutor's team.
According to the legal community on June 9, the special investigation headquarters for the emergency martial law case is securing classified phone server records and internal CCTV footage from the Presidential Security Service through voluntary submission, in relation to charges including former President Yoon's alleged leadership of an insurrection. The special investigation team has been working to secure these materials since May 29 to substantiate the charges.
Previously, in January, military prosecutors belonging to the special investigation team obtained a search and seizure warrant for the classified phone server but failed to secure the materials due to the Security Service's refusal. Although the Security Service later expressed willingness to cooperate, it is reported that the actual acquisition of digital evidence has been delayed due to ongoing coordination between the parties.
The CIO, which is investigating allegations of external pressure in the death of Corporal Chae, also moved on this day to secure additional records related to internal phone extensions from the Presidential Security Service. Last month, the CIO obtained server data related to the number '02-800-7070' and determined that calls to this number originated from locations such as former President Yoon's secretariat and office. It is reported that the CIO is now receiving additional materials through voluntary submission to more precisely identify the location from which the call was made.
The call in question was received by former Defense Minister Lee Jongseop at 11:54 a.m. on July 31, 2023, and lasted 2 minutes and 48 seconds. Investigations have found that immediately after this call, Lee ordered the suspension of the transfer of the Marine Corps investigation results to the police and also canceled a scheduled press briefing.
The CIO is placing significant weight on the possibility that former President Yoon personally made the call, reprimanded Lee, and instructed him to block the transfer of the investigation results.
Meanwhile, the prosecution and the CIO are continuing their existing investigations, separate from the passage of the "Special Prosecutor Act on Fact-Finding Regarding Insurrection and Treason by Former President Yoon Suk-yeol and Others" and the "Special Prosecutor Act on Fact-Finding Regarding Obstruction and Cover-Up of the Investigation into the Death of a Marine," both of which passed the National Assembly on June 5. Once the special prosecutor's team is established, investigative agencies will be required to hand over their existing case files.
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