The special prosecutor's office has reportedly seized a mobile phone belonging to former President Yoon Suk-yeol, which is locked with both a password and facial recognition, creating a 'double lock.' Yoon's side is said to have told the special prosecutor's office, 'There is no intention to provide the password.'
On the morning of the 23rd, Special Prosecutor Jeong Min-young stated in a briefing, '(On the seized former President Yoon's mobile phone) both facial recognition and a password are set up together,' adding, 'As confirmed now, there is no willingness to provide the password, so no further progress has been made there.'
Previously, the special prosecutor's office secured an iPhone used by former President Yoon during a search of his residence at Acro Vista in Seocho-dong, Seoul, on the 11th.
Afterwards, the special prosecutor's office requested the iPhone password, but former President Yoon's side refused. Consequently, the special prosecutor's office reportedly transferred the iPhone to the Supreme Public Prosecutors' Office for digital forensic work. However, they have not been able to commence the digital forensic work yet due to being unable to unlock the double lock.
Meanwhile, the special prosecutor's office is investigating allegations of external pressure on the investigation into the death of Chae Sang-byeong based on the 'VIP anger theory.' The VIP anger theory suggests that former President Yoon became enraged after being briefed on the investigation results of the Chae Sang-byeong case during a meeting at the presidential office on July 31, 2023, at 11 a.m., and that he reportedly called then-Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop to reprimand him, delaying police transfer and altering the investigation results.