Actress' agent questioned over alleged handset rigging

SEOUL, Jan. 29 (Yonhap) -- Police said Thursday they were interrogating the
president of one of the nation's largest entertainment agencies over his alleged
involvement in replicating a handset used by top actress Jeon Ji-hyun to track
her communications.
Chung Hoon-tak, president of Sidus HQ, was summoned to the Seoul Metropolitan
Police Agency early Thursday morning to face questioning about his role in the
handset rigging, police said.
Chung is alleged to have hired an outside agent to enable Sidus HQ officials to
monitor over 10 phone records and text messages of the number used by the
27-year-old Jeon in late November of 2007. The number was registered under her
father's name.
Jeon boasts enormous star power in South Korea and has also enjoyed popularity
throughout Asia as a commercial model for such popular brands as Coca Cola. Her
big break came after her performance in the hit movie "My Sassy Girl."
"We plan to find out how deeply he was involved in the case, whether he directly
ordered the rigging or if he was aware of the situation even when not having
given direct instructions to do so," a police officer said.
Business insiders have said Jeon was on bad terms with her agent due to his
alleged interference in her personal life and was planning not to renew her
contract with the firm. She signed with Sidus HQ during high school more than 10
years ago.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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