Police seek arrest over alleged wiretap of top actress' phone

SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Yonhap) -- Seoul police officials sought an arrest warrant
Wednesday for a man who allegedly cloned a mobile phone used by top actress Jeon
Ji-hyun at the request of her agency.

The 39-year-old man was under investigation for reportedly reproducing Jeon's
cell phone in November 2007. It is believed to have been used by her agency,
Sidus HQ, to eavesdrop on her conversations and text messages, according to the
Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
The 27-year-old actress' contract with Sidus ends next month.
The suspect, an owner of an errand service center, was apprehended on Monday.
Officials at Sidus HQ, one of the country's largest entertainment agencies, who
were questioned on Tuesday have neither confirmed nor denied whether they had
ordered the suspect to clone the phone, according to the police.
Police plan to summon the Sidus HQ president on Thursday for further investigation.
Business insiders have said that Jeon was on bad terms with her agent for
interfering 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.
Jeon boasts enormous star power in South Korea and has also enjoyed popularity
throughout Asia as a commercial model for big brands, including Coca Cola. She
got her big break from her performance in the movie "My Sassy Girl."
odissy@yna.co.kr
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