[Anchor]

During the investigation into the murder of a high school girl in Gwangju, it has been revealed that a suggestion was made within the Gwangsan Police Station investigation team to consider applying the charge of "rape-murder" against Jang Yoon-ki, but the team leader allegedly dismissed it. The police are expanding their investigation, suspecting that higher-ups may have influenced the team leader's decision.

Reporter Kim su-yun has the story.

[Reporter]

On May 12, two days before the police referred Jang Yoon-ki to the prosecution under detention for murder.

The police have obtained evidence that an opinion was raised within the Gwangsan Police Station investigation team suggesting, "Shouldn't we apply the charge of rape-murder?" but the investigation team leader, Inspector A, rejected it, questioning, "Can this be proven with only circumstantial evidence?"

The special investigation team has secured testimony from an investigator who was part of the team at the time.

The special investigation team summoned Inspector A today (July 10) for the first time since his arrest on July 8 to question him regarding these allegations.

The police suspect that there may have been interference from higher-ups, as they believe Inspector A, who claims he "has no personal acquaintance with Jang Yoon-ki's father," would have no personal motive to ignore the team's opinion on applying the rape-murder charge.

It was revealed that Jang Yoon-ki's father, Inspector Jang, recently submitted his mobile phone to the police but had deleted all call recording files.

It is reported that the recording files have been deemed unrecoverable.

The police plan to conduct an investigation into the leadership of the Gwangju Gwangsan Police Station in the near future.

The investigation appears to be expanding in earnest toward the higher-ups.

The prosecution booked the former Gwangsan Police Chief, Superintendent General Kim, who was placed on standby on July 7, on charges including leaking official secrets and aiding in the destruction of evidence, and conducted a surprise search and seizure of the Gwangsan Police Station chief's office.

The police have secured testimony from a Gwangsan Police Station official stating that on May 5, the day Jang Yoon-ki committed the crime, Superintendent General Kim said during a countermeasure meeting he presided over, "I instructed Inspector A to go and find Inspector Jang."

Superintendent General Kim did not respond to questions from SBS asking for the reason behind such an instruction.

A source from the special investigation team emphasized, "We will examine all allegations thoroughly, regardless of whether they involve those above, below, or to the side."

(Video reporting: Lee Byung-ju, Video editing: Kim Jin-won, Design: Kang Yoon-jung)