Exclusive: 'Jang Yoon-gi Investigation Team' Booked; Investigating Potential 'Higher-Level' Involvement

[Anchor]

Our reporting team has confirmed the recent statements made to the police special investigation unit by the former team leader in the Jang Yoon-gi case, who is currently under arrest. The statements concern his former superiors, the police station chief and the head of the detective division. Based on these testimonies, the police are now investigating whether there was any involvement from higher-ranking officials.

Reporter An Huijae has the story.

[Reporter]

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

It has been determined that in four recent police interrogations, Inspector A testified that his superior, Superintendent Park, the head of the Gwangsan Police Station's detective division, had decided to apply the charge of general murder, claiming there was "insufficient evidence for rape-murder," and that he had agreed to and followed that decision.

SBS has confirmed that Inspector A also stated, "I never once reported directly to Superintendent General Kim, the chief of the Gwangsan Police Station," regarding the application of charges.

Superintendent General Kim is also known to maintain the position that he "only received reports through the head of the detective division."

The police special investigation unit booked all three individuals responsible for the investigation on charges of abuse of power on July 14.

This follows the discovery of circumstances suggesting that they improperly intervened in the process of applying charges, despite internal opinions within the investigation team that Jang Yoon-gi should be charged with rape-murder rather than general murder.

In particular, as they deny allegations of collusion with Jang Yoon-gi's father, the investigation is focusing on determining whether there was involvement from even higher levels of authority.

The special investigation unit is also reportedly examining the process by which the Jang Yoon-gi case was split and assigned to departments such as the Women and Youth Affairs Division, rather than being handled exclusively by the Gwangsan Police Station's detective division.

There is suspicion that this fragmented investigation may have been intended to prevent the substantiation of intent for sex crimes.

With the deadline for referring Inspector A to the prosecution under arrest approaching, the police plan to announce the interim results of the investigation today, July 15.

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