Exclusive: "No In-Person Report to Chief"... Investigation Focuses on Potential 'Higher-Level' Interference

[Anchor]

Our news team has confirmed the recent statements made to the police special investigation unit by the former investigation team leader in the Jang Yoon-gi case, who is currently under arrest. The police are focusing their investigative efforts on determining whether there was any interference from higher-level officials based on these testimonies.

Here is an exclusive report by An Huijae.

[Reporter]

Inspector A, the former investigation team leader at the Gwangju Gwangsan Police Station, was arrested on charges of destroying evidence following allegations of a botched investigation into the Jang Yoon-gi case.

[Inspector A / Former Gwangju Gwangsan Police Station Investigation Team Leader (July 8): (Do you admit to the charges of destroying evidence?) ......]

It has been determined that in four recent police interrogations, Inspector A testified that his superior, Criminal Division Chief Park, decided to apply the charge of general murder instead of rape-murder, claiming there was "insufficient evidence for rape-murder," and that he agreed and followed those instructions.

According to SBS's investigation, Inspector A also stated that he "never once made an in-person report" to the Gwangju Gwangsan Police Station Chief, Superintendent General Kim, regarding the application of charges.

Superintendent General Kim is also known to maintain the position that he "only received reports through the Criminal Division Chief."

The police special investigation unit booked all three individuals responsible for the investigation today on charges of abuse of power.

The police reportedly captured circumstances suggesting that they improperly intervened in the process of applying a general murder charge, despite internal opinions within the investigation team that Jang Yoon-gi should be charged with rape-murder.

In particular, as they deny allegations of collusion with Jang Yoon-gi's father, the investigation is focusing on whether there was any interference from even higher-level authorities.

The special investigation unit is also reportedly examining the process by which the Jang Yoon-gi case was split and assigned to different departments, such as the Women and Youth Affairs Division, instead of being handled collectively by the Criminal Division.

There is suspicion that this "split investigation" was intended to prevent the substantiation of intent for sexual assault.

With the deadline for Inspector A's detention and referral to the prosecution approaching, the police plan to announce the interim results of the investigation tomorrow, July 15.

(Video reporting: Joo Yong-jin | Video editing: Park Ji-in)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.