Exclusive: Investigator Called Murder Suspect Jang Yoon-gi's Father 'Senior,' Police Launch Probe

[Anchor]

The prosecution and police are conducting competing investigations into the case of Jang Yoon-gi, the perpetrator who murdered a high school girl in Gwangju. The police special investigation team has summoned an investigator from the Gwangju Gwangsan Police Station, who is suspected of leaking investigation details to Jang Yoon-gi's father. Along with the detained investigation team leader, the police view this investigator as a key figure in various allegations, and following the prosecution's questioning yesterday, July 9, the police began their own interrogation today. The head of the police agency issued a public apology nine days after the allegations were first raised by an SBS report.

Our first story today is an exclusive report by An Huijae.

[Reporter]

The police special investigation team summoned Police Sergeant A, a member of the investigation team at the Gwangju Gwangsan Police Station that handled the Jang Yoon-gi case, for the first time today.

Sergeant A has been identified as the investigator who allegedly passed investigation information to Jang Yoon-gi's father, Police Inspector Jang.

Investigations revealed that Sergeant A, who had previously worked with Inspector Jang at the same patrol division, respectfully referred to him as "Senior" and had communicated with him over the phone multiple times.

The prosecution summoned Sergeant A as a suspect yesterday, July 9, and reportedly focused their questioning on evidence including call logs and a recording in which Sergeant A allegedly told Inspector Jang to "keep quiet about the fact that Jang Yoon-gi is from a police family."

SBS has confirmed that Inspector Jang, the father of the suspect, voluntarily appeared before the police special investigation team today for a second round of questioning, stating that he "has things he wants to say."

The police are currently analyzing records and audio recordings of meetings between Jang Yoon-gi and his parents while he was detained at the Gwangju Seobu Police Station from the time of his emergency arrest for the murder of Lee Chae-won until he was referred to the prosecution.

Authorities are verifying whether there were discussions to destroy key evidence during the three meetings, which lasted for a total of about one hour, and whether the investigation team to which Sergeant A belongs informed Inspector Jang of the available visitation times.

Yoo Jae-sung, Acting Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency, who returned from a business trip to the United States a day earlier than planned, offered his first official apology to the bereaved family and the public.

[Yoo Jae-sung/Acting Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency: I deeply apologize for causing further unbearable pain to the bereaved family.]

He further emphasized, "We will ensure that all responsible parties are punished to the fullest extent permitted by law and regulations."

(Video Editing: Choi Hye-ran, Design: Kim Min-young)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.