Exclusive: Police Officer Father Destroyed Evidence in 'High School Girl Murder' Case Involving Son Jang Yoon-gi

[Anchor]

The trial is underway for Jang Yoon-gi, who is accused of kidnapping and murdering a high school girl in Gwangju last May with the intent of committing a sexual assault. However, our investigation has revealed that key evidence that could have proven the sexual assault charges against Jang was destroyed by his father, who is a serving police officer.

Reporter Shin Yong-il has the story.

[Reporter]

In the early hours of May 5, 23-year-old Jang Yoon-gi kidnapped a high school student, Lee Chae-won, whom he had never met before, in downtown Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, and brutally murdered her with a weapon.

Jang, who was apprehended 11 hours after the crime, claimed it was an impulsive act. The police referred the case to the prosecution on charges including murder, but did not include sexual assault charges.

However, it has been confirmed that the police missed key evidence that could have proven the motive for sexual assault during the initial investigation.

While searching Jang's residence, police identified several damaged sex dolls but failed to seize them. Shortly thereafter, Jang's father dismantled the dolls and disposed of them in various locations across Gwangju.

Investigations also revealed that the father burned a mobile phone previously used by Jang Yoon-gi after the incident occurred. SBS confirmed that the father is a mid-ranking police officer currently serving in the Gwangju area.

Furthermore, the police failed to secure the SD card from the dashcam in Jang's vehicle. A subsequent search by the prosecution uncovered the SD card, which contained a recording of Jang telling an acquaintance, "I feel sorry for any woman who appears in front of me."

Through interviews with acquaintances, the prosecution also secured testimony that "Jang had said if his life were ruined, he would kidnap a high school girl in a van."

Based on these investigations, the prosecution concluded that Jang's murder was motivated by sexual assault. Last month, they indicted him on amended charges, including rape and murder.

While the father's actions cannot be punished as evidence destruction by a relative under current law, experts suggest that other charges could potentially be applied.

[Choi Yong-moon / Lawyer (Director of the Administrative Watch Center at People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy): It would be worth reviewing whether this could constitute obstruction of official duties, as he interfered with the police's original duties.]

It is reported that during questioning by the prosecution, Jang's father stated that he was "concerned that his son's crime would be linked to sexual matters."

(Video Editing: Shin Se-eun, Design: Kim Min-young)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.