Prosecutors Conduct Search and Seizure at Former President Yoon’s Residence in Acro Vista Amid ‘Geonjin Beopsa’ Allegations. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, May 7 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean prosecutors have sparked controversy after it was revealed they sought food delivery app records as part of a recent search of former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s private residence, an investigative move that Yoon’s camp condemned as a political ploy to humiliate him and his wife.
The detail, disclosed by defense attorneys present during the April 30 raid, indicated that prosecutors had requested access to delivery app histories — data that could reveal when and where food was ordered by Yoon or his wife, Kim Keon-hee.
The move is reportedly linked to an ongoing investigation into allegations involving a controversial figure known as “Geonjin Beopsa,” or spiritual advisor Jeon Sung-bae, and illegal political meddling during the 2018 local elections.
While critics view the method as invasive, prosecutors say such data is increasingly used to verify actual places of residence, especially in high-profile cases involving figures with multiple properties or potential efforts to evade detection.
In one related case, prosecutors reportedly used a delivery app address input by an associate of a businessman tied to the scandal to pinpoint his whereabouts, helping them execute a search.
Food delivery app (Image courtesy of Yonhap News TV)
Unlike mobile phone location tracking — which can be thwarted if a device is turned off — food delivery apps often contain precise user-provided information down to building, floor, and unit numbers. “It’s become an effective tool for confirming where someone is actually living,” said a prosecution source.
A former prosecutor turned attorney noted the shift in investigative techniques. “In the past, we relied on physical surveillance, mail records, and car registrations. Now, IP logs, card transactions, and even delivery app data are part of the toolkit,” he said.
South Korea’s three major delivery apps — Baedal Minjok, Coupang Eats, and Yogiyo — collectively serve over 37.5 million monthly users, making them a rich source of behavioral and location data.
A representative from one app confirmed that legal requests are not uncommon, saying, “We cooperate with law enforcement or courts when proper warrants are issued, including in civil cases like child support disputes.”
As public scrutiny over the investigation intensifies, the use of personal data in criminal probes — especially involving high-ranking former officials — continues to stir debate over privacy, legality, and political motive.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
