National Police Agency Vows to Enhance Transparency in Handling Cases Involving Relatives Following 'Jang Yoon-gi Case'

Investigative Information Leaked to Jang Yoon-gi’s Father, the ‘High School Girl Murderer’
Lead Detective Destroyed Evidence Including Cable Ties

The National Police Agency, which is directly investigating suspicions that investigative information on Jang Yoon-gi (23), who murdered a female high school student, was leaked to his father, a current police executive, and that the lead investigator in charge of the case destroyed evidence, has stated that it will introduce additional measures to enhance transparency in handling cases involving police officers’ relatives.

On July 7, the National Police Agency announced it would analyze all issues identified in this case and consider measures to improve transparency in handling cases involving the relatives of police officers. The National Investigation Headquarters reorganized the special investigation team for the Gwangsan Police Station murder case in Gwangju the previous day, appointing Chief Superintendent Hong Jang-deuk, the Director of Investigation and Human Rights at headquarters, as team leader.

Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency. Yonhap News Agency

As part of the comprehensive anti-corruption plan for the police announced in 2020, the police have been operating a system prohibiting inquiries into police cases. This system bans individuals from contacting investigators about ongoing cases, and violations are subject to disciplinary action. In addition, according to the comprehensive measures to prevent the leakage of investigative information implemented in 2024, those found leaking investigative information are referred for investigation and are subject to exclusion, disciplinary action, and removal from investigative departments as a principle.

However, Jang’s father, Inspector Jang, was not criminally charged due to a special provision in the Criminal Act, which states that relatives cannot be punished for destruction of evidence. An official from the National Police Agency explained, “Disciplinary action and criminal punishment differ in their purposes, content, and subjects. Even if a person is excluded from criminal punishment under the special provisions for relatives in the Criminal Act, if misconduct is found in an internal audit, disciplinary measures will be taken in accordance with the National Public Service Act, the Police Officers Disciplinary Decree, and other relevant laws.”

Previously, in May, Jang Yoon-gi stabbed and killed a female high school student with a weapon on a major street in Gwangsan District, Gwangju.

Three days after the incident, Inspector Jang, the father, cleaned out his son’s rented room and dismantled and disposed of a life-sized adult product, a “real doll,” into several pieces. At the time, the real doll’s chest and neck areas had been damaged by a sharp object, and based on this, the police determined that Jang Yoon-gi had intentions of committing a sex crime and murder.

Inspector Jang also destroyed his son’s belongings, including his mobile phone, by burning them after moving to another location in Jeollanam-do following the public release of Jang Yoon-gi’s identity. Previously, while the prosecution was conducting a supplementary investigation and searched Jang Yoon-gi’s family home, it was revealed that Inspector Jang had destroyed evidence such as his son’s mobile phone by burning it.

Additionally, the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency urgently arrested Inspector A from the Criminal Division of Gwangsan Police Station, who was in charge of the case, on suspicion of evidence destruction on the morning of the previous day. Inspector A is suspected of destroying some evidence, including cable ties believed to be key tools used in the crime, during the search and seizure of Jang Yoon-gi’s vehicle immediately after the incident in May.

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