▲ The SBS Social Affairs Department's Jang Yoon-ki reporting team (Reporters Im Chan-jong, Kim Deok-hyeon, Jeon Yeon-nam, Shin Yong-il, Son Gi-jun, Ahn Hee-jae, Lim Ji-hyun, and Kim Su-yun), which broke and continuously covered the allegations of a cover-up and minimization in the Jang Yoon-ki case.
The SBS Social Affairs Department's Jang Yoon-ki reporting team (Reporters Im Chan-jong, Kim Deok-hyeon, Jeon Yeon-nam, Shin Yong-il, Son Gi-jun, Ahn Hee-jae, Lim Ji-hyun, and Kim Su-yun), which broke and continuously reported on the allegations surrounding the cover-up and minimization of the Jang Yoon-ki case, has won the 431st Reporter of the Month Award.
The Journalists Association of Korea announced today (the 27th) at an awards ceremony held at the Korea Press Center in the morning that the SBS report was selected as the winner in the reporting category 1 for July 2026.
SBS intensively covered circumstances indicating that police intentionally distorted the case, including evidence tampering by the police officer in charge of the Jang Yoon-ki case—who murdered a high school girl in Gwangju last May—and attempts by police leadership to minimize the incident.
Following the SBS reports, which comprehensively shed light on the previously hidden flaws within the police investigation process, the government issued a public apology along with related countermeasures, leading to ongoing discussions on improving the criminal justice system.
The judging panel praised the SBS report, stating, "Through relentless tracking, the report corrected the essence of the case from a simple random murder to a premeditated rape and murder. It demonstrated a powerful impact that shook the credibility of the police organization, contributing to the fulfillment of the media's inherent mission."
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.