[Anchor]
The police investigation team has consistently denied allegations of a lenient investigation, claiming that it was difficult to apply the charge of rape-murder based solely on circumstantial evidence. However, as Jang Yun-gi himself admitted that the crime was committed with the intent of sexual assault, disciplinary action or criminal punishment for the botched investigation has become inevitable.
An Huijae reports.
[Reporter]
The police special investigation unit summoned seven individuals, including officials from the Women and Youth Affairs Division of the Gwangju Gwangsan Police Station, for questioning today (July 13).
The investigation focused on why the police applied the charge of general murder, concluding there was no sexual motive in the killing of a high school girl, despite having captured evidence of stalking and sexual assault against foreign women during the investigation of the Jang Yun-gi case.
The questioning of Police Inspector A, the team leader at the Gwangsan Police Station who has already been detained, also continued for the fourth consecutive day.
The core of the investigation is to determine whether the police intentionally steered the case toward a murder charge, which carries a lighter sentence than the charge of rape-murder, which requires a minimum sentence of life imprisonment.
Regarding allegations that "there was an order to leave cable ties found in Jang Yun-gi's vehicle untouched" or that "there were opinions within the investigation team to apply the rape-murder charge," Inspector A reportedly explained that, with Jang Yun-gi remaining silent at the time, "it was judged difficult to apply the rape-murder charge based only on circumstantial evidence."
The Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency also followed up with an explanation, stating that "it is not easy to uncover sexual motives during the initial investigation process, which focused on apprehension and searching for crime tools."
However, as Jang Yun-gi admitted to the rape-murder charges in court, the police's explanation has lost its credibility.
It has effectively been confirmed that the investigation was botched, given that the sexual intent was not uncovered during the initial investigation process.
This is why there is a consensus that disciplinary action or punishment for the Gwangju Gwangsan Police Station investigation team is inevitable.
Even within the police force, there is criticism that "it is inevitable to face accusations of a botched investigation, as evidence proving sexual intent, such as a real doll, had already been discovered."
The police special investigation unit, which is looking into the allegations of a botched investigation, plans to continue its probe into potential involvement by the leadership even after referring Inspector A, the team leader whose detention period is nearing its end, to the prosecution.
(Video Editing: Shin Se-eun, Design: Kim Han-gil, Park Tae-young)
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