As circumstances surrounding the police's downplaying and cover-up of the Jang Yoon-gi case continue to emerge, the investigation team leader, who is suspected of destroying evidence, has reportedly told police that he was "afraid of facing disciplinary action."

Inspector Park, an officer at the Gwangsan Police Station who was in charge of the Jang Yoon-gi case and has been arrested on charges including aiding in the destruction of evidence, reportedly stated to police that he was "afraid of being disciplined if the circumstances of the poor investigation were revealed just two years before my retirement."

It is reported that Inspector Park, the investigation team leader, also admitted to ordering the deletion of footage showing cable ties.

Inspector Park is accused of failing to seize a real doll and cable ties discovered during the investigation of Jang Yoon-gi's studio apartment and vehicle, despite the fact that they could have been used as evidence to prove charges of rape and murder.

Initially, Inspector Park denied some of the allegations, but it appears he eventually admitted to giving the order after members of his investigation team consistently testified that they had been "ordered to delete the footage."

The police, who are investigating the allegations of a botched investigation by the Gwangsan Police Station, have also reportedly captured evidence suggesting that Inspector Park attempted to downplay the rape and murder charges during the initial investigation of the Jang Yoon-gi case.

According to the police special investigation unit, members of the investigation team at the time testified that they were instructed by Inspector Park not to "steer the investigation toward sexual motives."

It is also reported that a forensic interview report suggesting the need to examine the case for sexual assault motives was omitted from the investigation records.

Regarding his failure to seize the cable ties, Inspector Park claims that he "missed them while focusing on finding the murder weapon," and argues that he did not intend to destroy evidence from the beginning.

Inspector Park is currently under arrest and being investigated on charges of concealing evidence, abuse of power, and dereliction of duty.

Reported by Kim Minjeong | Video by Jang Yujin | Graphics by Yook Dohyun | Produced by SBS Digital News