A mid-level police officer suspected of accepting bribes and covering up a case involving influencer Yang Jung-won has been arrested.

The Seoul Southern District Court arrested Inspector Song, who faces charges including bribery, today (August 5).

Inspector Song, formerly a team leader at the Gangnam Police Station, is accused of receiving bribes from a wealthy individual surnamed Lee, who was under investigation for alleged stock manipulation, and in return covering up an investigation into a fraud case involving Lee's wife, Yang.

Yang, who has worked as a model for a pilates academy franchise, was sued for fraud and other charges by franchise owners around July 2024, and the police decided not to forward the case, citing a lack of charges, in December of the same year.

Previously, prosecutors sought an arrest warrant for Inspector Song in April, but the court dismissed it, stating that there was a dispute over whether the entertainment or money received constituted a bribe and that the guarantee of a right to defense was necessary.

Prosecutors reportedly captured additional circumstances indicating that Inspector Song had covered up the investigation and re-applied for an arrest warrant on July 31.

With prosecutors securing custody of Inspector Song, expectations are rising that the investigation will gain momentum.
 
(Photo: Yonhap News)