"It Is the Father's Lie": The Secret Behind Jang Yoon-gi's Composure

Experts suggest that Police Inspector Jang, the father of Jang Yoon-gi, who murdered a high school girl in Gwangju, likely knew about his son's crime in real-time immediately after it occurred.

Bae Sang-hoon, a professor of police administration at Woosuk University and a first-generation profiler for the National Police Agency, appeared on the SBS YouTube channel "Discovery of Knowledge" and stated that it is highly probable that Jang Yoon-gi's calm behavior after the crime, including his decision not to flee, was the result of "coaching" from his father.

Professor Bae focused on the ownership of the SUV used in the crime.

The vehicle was registered not to Jang Yoon-gi, but to his father, Inspector Jang.

Because the police issued a "Code Zero"—the highest emergency response level—following a report from a male student who fled the scene, and the vehicle placed on the wanted list was his own, Inspector Jang would have been aware of his son's crime immediately after it happened, according to the professor.

Professor Bae also pointed out that when a Code Zero is issued, officers are deployed to set up roadblocks at escape routes in neighboring jurisdictions.

[Interview] Bae Sang-hoon / Professor of Police Administration, Woosuk University (SBS "Discovery of Knowledge"): As a patrol team leader (at a neighboring precinct), he would have naturally blocked the route. Therefore, his claim that he did not know is a lie.

Professor Bae believes it is highly likely that the father acted quickly after realizing his son had committed the crime.

In fact, the cable ties, life-sized doll, and four mobile phones that Inspector Jang disposed of were all key pieces of evidence in the investigation.

[Interview] Jung Yu-mi / SBS Reporter: When you look at the life-sized doll and other items the father disposed of or tried to hide, Professor, it seems he only picked out the core evidence of the investigation...

[Interview] Bae Sang-hoon / Professor of Police Administration, Woosuk University (SBS "Discovery of Knowledge"): He picked them out and got rid of them.

Professor Bae analyzed that Jang Yoon-gi's decision to visit a dry cleaner and a hair salon instead of fleeing immediately after the crime, and his refusal to bow his head before the photo line, were likely due to his father "coaching" him with the message, "I will handle the cleanup, so just act naturally."

While the police explained that the multiple phone calls between Jang Yoon-gi and his father while the suspect was in the detention center were a "standard investigative technique to persuade the suspect to reveal where the mobile phones were discarded," Professor Bae flatly contradicted this explanation.

[Interview] Bae Sang-hoon / Professor of Police Administration, Woosuk University (SBS "Discovery of Knowledge"): I do not believe this; I see it as the opposite. I believe Jang Yoon-gi and his father were already talking, and the police are claiming they intervened to coordinate an alibi. I believe they actually coordinated their stories after the fact. They are discussing, "Where did you throw it away?" and "What was there?" The detectives should have stopped those calls at that time.

Furthermore, noting the possibility that DNA from other crimes could be present in Jang Yoon-gi's studio apartment, where only a damaged life-sized doll remained without any other electronic devices, he argued that if additional crimes are confirmed, a re-indictment should be considered, even if it requires amending the indictment.

Produced by Kim, Soo Hyung | Video by Choi Kang-san | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Source: SBS YouTube "Discovery of Knowledge"
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.