National Police Agency Launches Inspection into Father of Gwangju Murder Suspect Over Evidence Destruction Allegations

The National Police Agency (NPA) has launched a direct inspection into allegations that a serving police officer, the father of Gwangju murder suspect Jang Yoon-gi (23), destroyed evidence.
In a press statement today (July 2), the NPA announced, "We have decided to verify the facts through an inspection to determine if there were any shortcomings in the police investigation process regarding the Jang Yoon-gi case and to investigate the allegations of evidence destruction by the suspect's father."
While the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency initially began an inspection into the officer, identified as Inspector Jang, the responsibility has been transferred to the NPA headquarters due to the gravity of the matter.
The inspection will be conducted in two parts.
First, the National Office of Investigation under the NPA will examine whether the police investigation into the Jang Yoon-gi case was conducted properly.
The inspection will specifically focus on how far up the police chain of command the fact that Inspector Jang is a serving officer was reported, and whether any details of the investigation were leaked in advance.
The NPA's Inspection Division will investigate Inspector Jang's actions in disposing of his son's belongings, including a life-sized sex doll and a mobile phone.
On May 8, three days after the incident occurred, Inspector Jang was clearing out his son's studio apartment when he dismantled and discarded the life-sized doll.
The doll's chest and neck areas had been damaged by a sharp object, and the prosecution used this as evidence to conclude that Jang Yoon-gi had committed the murder with the intent of sexual assault.
Furthermore, after Jang Yoon-gi's identity was made public, Inspector Jang burned his son's belongings, including an old mobile phone, while moving him to a new residence.
The prosecution discovered the burning of the mobile phone while conducting a search and seizure of the suspect's family home during a supplementary investigation.
However, Inspector Jang has not been criminally charged, as the Criminal Act provides a special exemption that protects family members from punishment for the crime of destroying evidence.
At the time of the incident, Inspector Jang was working in a non-investigative department at a local police station unrelated to his son's case, and he is currently on a leave of absence.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.