[Anchor]

The investigation team leader at the Gwangju Gwangsan Police Station, who handled the Gwangju high school girl murder case, was arrested three hours ago on charges including evidence tampering. The police announced that they have formed a dedicated investigation team to verify various allegations of poor investigation and evidence destruction raised during the process, and that they plan to investigate all related personnel, including the members of the original investigation team.

Reporter Kim Gyu-ri reports.

[Reporter]

The Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency announced that it arrested the investigation team leader from the Gwangju Gwangsan Police Station at approximately 7:00 a.m. today (July 6) on charges of evidence tampering.

The Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency stated that it has organized a 22-member dedicated investigation team, led by the head of the Gwangju Police Agency's investigation division, to clarify the allegations of evidence destruction raised during the investigation into the suspect, Jang Yoon-gi.

It is understood that the dedicated team arrested the investigation team leader this morning after discovering some evidence of tampering while verifying the facts.

The police also plan to conduct investigations into all related individuals, including the members of the original investigation team.

The police stated that they will conduct a thorough investigation into the entire investigative process, beyond the allegations reported by the media, to ensure no suspicions remain.

Previously, the investigation team failed to seize a sex doll that could have proven Jang Yoon-gi's sex crime charges, as well as the vehicle used in the crime. They also withheld a DNA analysis report confirming the victim's bloodstains from the prosecution for some time.

Furthermore, it was confirmed that the police investigation team provided Jang Yoon-gi's address and password to a police inspector surnamed Jang, leading to criticism that they effectively gave him the opportunity to dispose of the sex doll.

Jang Yoon-gi was indicted on charges of murdering a high school student, Lee Chae-won, whom he did not know, in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, on May 5, and attempting to murder another high school student who tried to stop him. During his first trial, he admitted to most of the charges, excluding the intent to commit a sex crime.

(Video Editing: Shin Se-eun)