Exclusive: Police Chief Allegedly Ordered Intentional Mishandling to Avoid Linking Case to Stalking

[Anchor]

It has been confirmed that the police special investigation team has secured testimony indicating that the then-chief of the Gwangsan Police Station gave instructions during the early stages of the Jang Yun-gi case to ensure the crime was not linked to relationship-based crimes, such as stalking. The special investigation team is focusing on the possibility that the Gwangsan Police Station attempted to downplay the incident as a simple murder case to cover up their own inadequate response.

An Huijae reports.

[Reporter]

From the arrest to the referral of the case, the investigation into Jang Yun-gi, the murderer of the late Lee Chae-won, was overseen by the then-chief of the Gwangsan Police Station in Gwangju, Superintendent Kim.

It is known that Superintendent Kim has maintained his position that he "ordered a thorough investigation" even after allegations of a botched investigation emerged.

However, the police special investigation team has captured circumstances suggesting that Superintendent Kim gave instructions early in the Jang Yun-gi investigation that contradict this stance.

According to the testimony secured by the team, when investigators reported that Jang was also suspected of stalking and sexually assaulting a Vietnamese woman he worked with part-time just two days before murdering Lee Chae-won, on May 3, Superintendent Kim allegedly instructed the investigation team to "ensure that talk of relationship-based crimes does not come up as much as possible."

The special investigation team is also reported to have secured various concrete pieces of evidence containing the process by which the Gwangsan Police Station leadership, including Superintendent Kim, discussed these matters.

SBS reporting reveals that this investigative guideline from Superintendent Kim was relayed through the head of the criminal investigation division, Superintendent Park, to the investigation team leader, Inspector A.

Subsequently, the Gwangsan Police investigation team failed to secure key evidence, such as cable ties and a real doll, despite being aware of their existence.

As a result, the investigation team accepted Jang Yun-gi's claim that the murder was an impulsive act—stating that he "decided to commit suicide and intended to take someone with him"—and applied only charges of general murder, excluding the possibility of sex crimes, rather than charging him with rape and murder.

The special investigation team suspects that the Gwangsan Police leadership conducted a poor investigation out of fear that their failure to properly respond to the stalking and sexual assault crimes committed by Jang prior to the high school student's murder would be exposed.

The special investigation team is expanding its probe, not ruling out the possibility that higher-level authorities may have been involved in the leadership's decision-making process.

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