South Korean police apologize over Gwangju murder probe
· UPIJuly 10 (Asia Today) -- South Korea's police apologized Friday over the Jang Yoon-gi case after allegations emerged that a police officer who is the suspect's father destroyed evidence related to the killing of a high school girl in Gwangju.
Yoo Jae-sung, acting commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency, offered the apology during a video meeting of police commanders nationwide.
"I deeply apologize for causing another wound that will be difficult for the bereaved family to heal," Yoo said. "I also feel very sorry for disappointing the public."
"As acting commissioner general, I take seriously the concerns and criticism from the public," he said.
Yoo pledged a swift and thorough investigation.
"We will investigate all matters raised in this case quickly and thoroughly, leaving no suspicion unresolved," Yoo said. "Through the criminal investigation and internal inspection, those responsible will be punished as severely as the law and system allow."
Yoo said police would quickly make strong changes to address problems exposed by the case. He said the agency plans to create separate units to improve investigative procedures and investigate internal corruption.
"We will reform police investigations so that we can restore public trust," Yoo said. "Every member of the police must remember that investigative authority was delegated by the public and must fulfill that responsibility."
The Jang Yoon-gi case began in May, when Jang, 24, allegedly tried to drag 17-year-old Lee Chae-won into his car near a high school in Gwangsan District, Gwangju, while she was on her way home. He is accused of killing her with a knife and injuring a male high school student who tried to stop him.
Police sent Jang to prosecutors on charges including murder and attempted murder under the Criminal Act. But after a supplementary investigation, prosecutors concluded Jang had committed murder for the purpose of a sex crime and indicted him June 3 on charges including rape-murder under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes.
Under South Korean law, murder is punishable by at least five years in prison, life imprisonment or death. Rape-murder is punishable only by life imprisonment or death.
The case drew wider outrage after signs emerged of an organized cover-up and evidence destruction during the police investigation of Jang, whose father is a police officer. A police lieutenant who led the violent crimes team at Gwangsan Police Station was arrested in connection with the case.
As public attention grew, politicians also joined criticism of the police.
Democratic Party lawmakers on the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee visited the Korean National Police Agency on Friday and called for a thorough investigation into allegations that police destroyed evidence related to the Jang case.
Rep. Kim Young-jin, a Democratic Party lawmaker who chairs the committee, told reporters after the visit that lawmakers had urged the acting police chief to conduct an investigation without sanctuary into everyone involved, punish those responsible, recognize the seriousness of the situation, mobilize all investigative resources to determine the truth, reopen the evidence destruction inquiry and investigate all members of the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency in connection with alleged leaks of investigative secrets.
The opposition People Power Party also criticized the police. Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok visited the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency on Thursday and sought a meeting with Commissioner Kim Young-geun, but the meeting did not take place.
Rep. Chung Jeom-sig, the People Power Party floor leader, proposed Friday that the ruling party, opposition and government open a consultative forum on investigative agency reform, including measures to check what he called the police's complete monopoly over investigations.
"The president and the government should not hide behind the excuse of police independence and act as if this is not their responsibility," Chung said. "They must take responsibility for bold organizational reform of the police."
-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.
Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260710010003853