Exclusive: Police Question Jang Yoon-gi; Uncle Who Is a Police Officer Also Summoned

[Anchor]

The police special investigation team has conducted its first face-to-face interrogation of the detained Jang Yoon-gi. Jang’s uncle, who is a police officer, was also questioned as a witness.

Reporter Im Jihyeon has the story.

[Reporter]

The National Police Agency's special investigation team visited Jang Yoon-gi, who is currently being held at the Gwangju Correctional Institution, on the afternoon of July 20.

This marks the first direct investigation of Jang since the special team was launched.

The special team questioned Jang on whether he had received any preferential treatment during the initial investigation by the Gwangju Gwangsan Police Station.

It was revealed that the investigation team at the Gwangsan Police Station at the time had allowed Jang to speak on the phone with his father, a serving police officer, more than 10 times.

Investigations also found that Jang’s father had used the investigation team to obtain information on the investigation schedule in advance, including whether visitation was possible on that day.

To verify allegations of collusion between Jang’s family and the investigation team, the special team also summoned Jang’s uncle, a police officer surnamed Jang who holds the rank of inspector, for questioning as a witness.

It is reported that during the questioning, Inspector Jang stated that he did not know any of the members of the Gwangsan Police Station investigation team.

The pre-arrest interrogation for Superintendent Park, the former head of the detective division at the Gwangsan Police Station who oversaw the investigation into Jang’s case, is scheduled for this morning, July 21.

Superintendent Park is accused of exerting undue influence during the process of referring Jang’s case to the prosecution under charges of general murder rather than rape-murder.

Park’s side emphasized, "During the initial investigation, we reviewed the possibility that Jang’s murder was motivated by sexual assault," adding, "However, we included in our report that it was difficult to prove within the limited detention period, which is why we referred the case under charges of general murder."

The police special team has requested a travel ban for Park’s superior at the time, Superintendent General Kim, who was the chief of the Gwangsan Police Station.

(Video Editing: Choi Hye-ran, Design: Lee Jong-jeong)

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