[Anchor]

The police have requested an arrest warrant for the investigation team leader at the Gwangju Gwangsan Police Station, who is accused of destroying evidence while communicating multiple times with the father of Jang Yoon-gi, a police official. The police have also hinted at the possibility of disciplinary action against the father, who is currently serving as a police officer.

An Huijae reports.

[Reporter]

The National Office of Investigation's special investigation team has requested an arrest warrant for Inspector A, the leader of the investigation team at the Gwangju Gwangsan Police Station, who handled the case of Jang Yoon-gi, the perpetrator of the Gwangju high school student murder.

This comes one day after the inspector was emergency arrested on charges of destroying evidence.

It is reported that the investigation team confirmed that Inspector A destroyed evidence related to sexual offenses, such as cable ties, during the search and seizure of Jang Yoon-gi's vehicle, and leaked investigation information to Jang's father, Inspector Jang, who is a serving police official.

Inspector A reportedly denied most of the allegations during the police investigation, stating, "There is no reason or motive to destroy evidence."

The police also hinted at the possibility of disciplinary action regarding the circumstances surrounding Inspector Jang, the father of Jang Yoon-gi, destroying evidence.

The National Police Agency explained through a press release, "Even if punishment for destruction of evidence is not possible under the special provisions for relatives in the Criminal Act, disciplinary measures will be taken in accordance with other laws and regulations."

This statement clarifies that disciplinary action is possible, as the case has faced public criticism because Inspector Jang avoided punishment for destroying his son's real doll and mobile phone simply because he is the father.

The police also emphasized that they are taking strong measures, such as immediately requesting investigations into those who leak investigation information, and that they strictly prohibit any act of police officers exchanging inquiries regarding cases involving their family members.

Within the police force, concerns have been raised, with some stating, "This is not a problem caused by a lack of regulations. The suspicions are mounting, but there is no exit strategy in sight."

[Interview: Lee Woong-hyuk, Professor of Police Science at Konkuk University] "While they say that 'cronyism or covering up for each other is institutionally blocked,' the appearance of trying to protect internal colleagues is clear, so it has not functioned effectively..."

The police have removed the entire investigation team that worked with Inspector A from their duties and have placed Jang Yoon-gi's father, Inspector Jang, on standby.

(Video Editing: Ahn Yeo-jin, Design: Lee So-jeong)