South Korean Police search senior offices in Gwangju murder inquiry
· UPIJuly 11 (Asia Today) -- A special police investigation team searched the offices of senior police officials Friday as part of an inquiry into alleged misconduct in the investigation of a high school student's killing in Gwangju.
Investigators from the Korean National Police Agency's National Office of Investigation executed search warrants at the office of the chief of the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency and the office of the chief of Gwangsan Police Station.
The searches indicate that the investigation has expanded to senior officials who were part of the command structure overseeing the original murder inquiry.
The team searched seven locations, including three offices at the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency, two at Gwangsan Police Station and the current workplaces of officials who were involved in supervising the case.
Investigators were seeking documents and other evidence related to allegations that police destroyed evidence, leaked confidential investigative information or improperly handled the case involving suspect Jang Yun-gi.
The Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office is conducting a separate investigation.
Prosecutors are examining allegations of evidence destruction and investigative information leaks during the period between Jang's arrest and the transfer of the case from police to prosecutors.
The controversy intensified after prosecutors reviewed the police investigation and raised questions about whether officers had failed to preserve or collect important evidence.
Authorities are also investigating whether Jang's father, a serving police officer, had improper contact with members of the original investigative team.
The police special investigation initially focused on working-level investigators but has expanded its inquiry to determine whether senior commanders issued or approved decisions that affected the handling of the case.
-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260711010004024