The government has issued a public apology regarding allegations of a police investigation cover-up, which have surfaced following the so-called Jang Yoon-gi case.

Minister of the Interior and Safety Yun Ho-jung announced the government's position in a public statement at the Government Complex Seoul this afternoon (July 16).

"As the Minister of the Interior and Safety, responsible for the lives and safety of the people, I express my deepest regrets and condolences to the bereaved family of the victim, and I apologize for causing concern to the public," Minister Yun said.

He continued, "The government views this situation with the utmost gravity. To restore public trust, which has collapsed due to shoddy and suppressed investigations, we will eradicate internal police corruption and thoroughly reform the investigation system."

He further pledged, "We will ensure that those responsible for this incident, as well as any corrupt police officers, will have no place within the police force. To root out the issue of police officers forming illicit ties in their regions of origin, we will fully implement a rotational personnel system. We will also fundamentally block the practice of protecting one's own by requiring self-reporting for cases involving a police officer's spouse or direct lineal relatives, and by implementing a system that prevents officers from handling cases involving their relatives."

(Photo: Yonhap News)