South Korea to purge digital evidence from D-NET system

The South Korean Ministry of Justice has announced plans to reorganize and purge digital evidence stored in the Prosecution Service’s digital management system, known as D-NET. This move coincides with the scheduled launch of the Prosecution Service on October 2, which will separate investigative powers from prosecutorial functions.

Under the new plan, digital evidence from cases where trials have concluded will be deleted or destroyed. Evidence related to ongoing investigations or suspended indictments will be transferred to the police or the newly established Major Crimes Investigation Agency (MCIA) before being purged from the prosecution’s system. This measure aims to address long-standing criticisms that the prosecution had excessively collected and stored digital information, potentially misusing it for unrelated investigations.

As part of the structural shift, the prosecution’s scientific investigation department will be downsized into a legal forensics planning office. Field digital forensic capabilities, including personnel and equipment, are expected to be transferred to the MCIA. Additionally, the Ministry of Justice is re-evaluating the expansion of the National Digital Forensics Center.