Police Explanation Falls Flat as Suspect Admits to Rape-Murder

[Anchor]

The police investigation team had previously 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 has admitted that the crime was committed with the intent of sexual assault, disciplinary action or criminal punishment for the botched investigation now appears 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 simple murder, concluding there was no sexual motive in the killing of a high school girl, despite having already uncovered evidence of stalking and sexual assault against foreign women during the initial investigation into the Jang Yun-gi case.

The interrogation of Inspector A, the team leader at the Gwangsan Police Station who has already been arrested, 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 rape-murder charge that mandates a life sentence or higher.

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 "it was judged difficult to apply the rape-murder charge based on circumstantial evidence alone" while Jang remained silent.

The Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency also followed up with the explanation that "it is not easy to identify a sexual motive during the initial investigation process, which focused on apprehension and searching for tools used in the crime."

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, as the sexual assault intent was not uncovered during the initial investigation process.

This is why there is a growing consensus that disciplinary action or punishment for the Gwangju Gwangsan Police investigation team is unavoidable.

Even within the police force, criticism has emerged, with some stating, "Evidence proving sexual intent, such as a real doll, had already been discovered," and "Criticism that the investigation was at least handled poorly is inevitable."

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, whose detention period is nearing its end, to the prosecution.

(Video Editing: Shin Se-eun, Design: Kim Han-gil, Park Tae-young)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.