A text message claiming a vehicle contact accident, provided to The Korea-US Daily by Dr. Wi Geum-suk (left), and a text message sent by a police-estimated associate identified as Mr. Jo, during a search and seizure of emails earlier this month (right). Mr. Jo reportedly sent the text message stating a warrant had been issued and sent an appearance summons to Dr. Wi.

Dr. Wi Geum-suk (Ph.D. in Computer Engineering), chairperson of the New Party's Special Committee for Electoral Reform, is causing controversy by claiming that "the police attempted to search and seize my mobile phone using voice phishing tactics."

This incident occurred two days after the police initiated coercive investigations into former and current executives of the 'Anti-Corruption and Anti-Electoral Fraud Brigade' on the 24th, sparking a debate about politically motivated investigations. Dr. Wi is not a current executive of the brigade.

In particular, as a claim that the incident was disguised as voice phishing has been raised, public opinion that a procedure to confirm whether a search and seizure warrant for a witness's mobile phone was actually issued is likely to gain traction. It is pointed out that if the suspicion that the police used voice phishing tactics to obtain the mobile phone without a warrant proves true, legal liabilities such as falsely claiming a warrant was issued will inevitably follow.

In a phone interview with The Korea-US Daily on the 26th, Dr. Wi Geum-suk recounted the situation where individuals presumed to be police officers descended upon her home in Jung-gu, Seoul, disguised as voice phishing. "A woman with a youthful voice called me, saying she had scratched my car while parking and that I needed to come down to the parking lot as she was very apologetic," she said.

According to a recording file provided to this newspaper by Dr. Wi immediately after the interview, a woman called Dr. Wi and said, "I'm in the underground parking lot. I'm sorry, but I think you'll need to come down as I scratched your car while parking. It's quite noticeable." According to a captured text message provided by Dr. Wi, this woman also sent a text message to Dr. Wi at 11:55 AM.

When Dr. Wi asked, "Which unit do you live in?" during the call, the unidentified woman replied, "Me? Why? I don't live here, I just came to visit and I'm not familiar with the parking lot... I'm sorry. But you really... you need to come... I'm sorry."

When Dr. Wi asked again, "What unit did you come to?" the woman replied, "I came to the commercial area." When Dr. Wi asked, "You came to the commercial area, how did you get to the third basement level?" she stammered, "My friend lives here, I came to go to the convenience store... but... ah... perhaps right now..."

The woman then said, "I scratched it, ah, I'm sorry, I..." in a lower voice than before, and Dr. Wi responded, "Just a moment, I'll ask the management office, so please wait," and hung up the phone.

According to Dr. Wi, a shocking event followed. Dr. Wi asked the apartment management office, and when a staff member went down to the underground parking lot, the car was fine, and there were one woman and two men. They mentioned a hit-and-run and then quietly left.

As a result, the statements made by the unidentified woman—that there was a 'contact accident,' that she 'came to visit a friend,' and that she 'came to the commercial area'—all turned out to be false.

The situation, resembling voice phishing, did not end there.

Soon after, approximately four to five individuals, presumed to be police officers, rang Dr. Wi's doorbell, knocked on her door, and shouted for her to open it, Dr. Wi told The Korea-US Daily. They continuously rang the bell, knocked, and shouted for about 40 to 50 minutes, and kept calling Dr. Wi.

Around 3 PM, an individual presumed to be a police officer sent a text message requesting her to open the door briefly, stating they would only take her mobile phone. According to a captured photo provided by Dr. Wi, the associate, identified as Detective Jo, texted, "I will only take the mobile phone. A search of the residence requires notifying the co-occupant, ooo (husband), which is complicated."

Dr. Wi texted back, "Why are you trying to forcibly take my mobile phone as a witness? Please inform me of the legal basis." She also demanded, "You mentioned that a witness can be arrested. Please tell me the legal basis for this."

Dr. Wi told this newspaper, "I received a response that the legal basis for arrest was not even mentioned, and that I had never stated that I could arrest them. They did not show me a warrant either."

The individuals presumed to be police officers continued to pound on her door for about 40 minutes in the evening, shouting, "Director," and "Director Wi Geum-suk," asking her to open the door, Dr. Wi said. When apartment residents complained about the noise, they stopped the commotion after 6 PM.

The calls from the presumed police continued until past 9 PM, according to Dr. Wi.

In an interview with this newspaper, Dr. Wi questioned, "Does it make sense to forcibly search and seize a witness's mobile phone?" adding, "I can't believe that four to five police officers came just to take my mobile phone."

She continued, "I thought of the cases of the Yangpyeong public official who allegedly committed suicide due to coercive investigations, insults, and forced testimony, and Pastor Son Hyun-bo who was unlawfully detained for the absurd reason of being a flight risk. I truly feel that a politics of fear is right at our doorstep," and stated that she was experiencing health issues due to extreme stress.

She exclaimed, "Why are they trying to forcibly take the mobile phone of a witness who has committed no crime? I have been using my mobile phone for decades. It contains all my personal history," and continued, "Why is public authority trying to arbitrarily take my private information? I haven't committed any crime, nor am I a suspect," she said, visibly shaken.

Dr. Wi stated indignantly, "Lying, snatching phones, arresting people – what's the difference between the police and Chinese voice phishing organizations?" and firmly said, "I didn't think I should hand over my phone with my own hands."

She elaborated, "The police said they would break down the door. Whether they break it down and take it or not, I can't bring myself to willingly surrender it out of pride. I should have committed a crime for them to treat citizens like this, like enemies of the state." She reiterated, "I was so dumbfounded that I couldn't hand it over with my own hands."

She lamented, "Even if my house is destroyed, and they break in, I have no power, so even if it's taken away, I wouldn't say anything... but I won't willingly give it. That's absurd."

Dr. Wi stated, "I don't think it makes sense for a warrant to be issued to seize a witness's mobile phone. A witness can choose whether to cooperate or not. I certainly had no intention of cooperating," and asked, "Is it a problem that I've compiled information about electoral fraud? Those who committed electoral fraud are at fault. They haven't investigated electoral fraud at all, and I filed a lawsuit, but they haven't even acted within 180 days. Is it a crime to compile reports about electoral fraud?"

She continued, "Instead of being grateful that citizens are doing their job and awarding them, I don't understand why they would issue a warrant related to electoral fraud, and I don't even know if a warrant was issued," adding, "What's more problematic is that they cited a criminal code provision saying I could be arrested if I didn't come. I looked it up, and that applies to suspects. Ordinary people don't even know if they are a suspect or a witness."

Dr. Wi added, "I was told they might break down my door. I will watch firsthand how ruthlessly public power can be wielded," and concluded, "This is my last pride as someone without power and my method of resisting injustice. If I don't resist, injustice and fear will spread to my children, my acquaintances, and my neighbors next."