Cable Tie Disappears from Jang Yun-gi’s Vehicle... Police Investigate Evidence Tampering Allegations

Key Evidence in Proving Kidnapping and Rape Plot

Cable Tie Not Secured as Evidence Early in Investigation

Special Investigation Team Formed by National Police Agency

It has been confirmed that the reason the police detective team leader who investigated the Jang Yun-gi case was booked on suspicion of evidence tampering was due to the disappearance of a cable tie found in the vehicle early in the investigation, which was not secured as evidence. As prosecutors have determined the motive for the crime to be "kidnapping and rape," controversy is intensifying over the investigation's shortcomings after the disappearance of the restraining tool.

SUV, the primary weapon used by high school girl murder suspect Yoonki Jang. Photo by Yonhap News.

According to Yonhap News on July 6, police confirmed a cable tie inside the vehicle during the search and seizure of Jang Yun-gi's residence and sport utility vehicle (SUV) immediately after his arrest in May. The vehicle in question was identified as the one used for the victim's abduction.

During the forensic examination of the vehicle, the investigation team documented the cable tie with photos and video and included the details in the investigation report. However, the physical cable tie itself was not secured as evidence. When the whereabouts of the cable tie could not be determined, the police urgently arrested Inspector A, who was in charge of the overall investigation at the Gwangsan Police Station in Gwangju, on suspicion of evidence tampering.

Through supplementary investigation, prosecutors determined that Jang Yun-gi's motive was "kidnapping and rape," but it has been reported that the restraining tool used to subdue the victim has still not been secured.

Another key piece of evidence, the SUV, was also returned to Jang Yun-gi's father the day after the incident, after only basic forensic procedures such as bloodstain and fingerprint collection were completed. It is known that Jang Yun-gi's father drove the vehicle for about two weeks until prosecutors conducted an additional search and seizure.

It was found that after receiving his son's studio address and entry password from the police, Jang Yun-gi's father disposed of a damaged sex doll, which was evidence related to the case. During the prosecution's investigation, he reportedly testified that he disposed of it out of concern that facts relating to sex crimes might be revealed.

At the time, police were investigating both the murder charge and sex crime allegations, and it has been confirmed that some details about the investigation were conveyed to Jang Yun-gi's father.

Legal experts point out that, in the absence of sufficient direct evidence to prove charges of rape and murder, a restraining tool found in the vehicle could serve as crucial evidence supporting the planning and motive for the crime.

On this day, the National Investigation Headquarters of the Korean National Police Agency excluded the Gwangju Police Agency command from the case and formed a special investigation team of 27 members, led by the head of the headquarters' Human Rights Investigation Division. The special investigation team plans to investigate detectives and commanding officers from the original team to determine whether there were any collusive ties between Jang Yun-gi's father and the investigators.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.