Jang Donghyuk Fails to Meet Gwangju Police Chief... "Pushing for National Assembly Hearing on Jang Yunki Case" (Comprehensive)

Unable to Meet Police Chief, Standoff Lasts Over 30 Minutes

Criticism of Government and Ruling Party: "Opposing the Abolition of Supplementary Investigation Authority"

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, visited the Gwangju Police Agency on July 9, raising suspicions related to the investigation of the "Jang Yunki case" and requesting a meeting with Gwangju Police Chief Kim Younggeun; however, the meeting did not take place.

Jang Donghyuk (center), the leader of the People Power Party, is addressing the media after the planned meeting with Police Chief Kim Younggeun at the Gwangju Police Agency on the 9th did not take place. Photo by Yonhap News

On this day, Jang was originally scheduled to meet Han Sungguk, the new Prime Minister, who was visiting the National Assembly for a courtesy call. However, in order to raise issues such as the alleged police cover-up revealed during the Jang Yunki investigation and to express opposition to abolishing the prosecution’s supplementary investigation authority, Jang visited the Gwangju Police Agency together with party leadership, including lawmakers Seo Cheonho, Shin Dongwook, and Kim Jangkyum. The Gwangju Police Agency, however, restricted access, stating that the visit was not prearranged, and Jang’s delegation protested, demanding a meeting for about 30 minutes.

Jang strongly criticized, asking, “What is the legal basis for blocking the opposition party leadership, who are visiting on behalf of the people?” He continued, “I wonder how the bereaved families of the Jang Yunki case’s victims would feel upon seeing such an attitude.” Jang added, “I cannot hide my concern that the Gwangju Police Agency’s response may be a preview of biased or fabricated investigations to come. This is the true face of the Korean police and their attitude toward the people.”

Regarding discussions on abolishing the prosecution’s supplementary investigation authority, he stated, “I do not understand what confidence the Democratic Party and the Lee Jaemyung administration have in pushing for the abolition of this authority,” adding, “If the police are granted full investigative powers, the harm will be borne entirely by the people.”

Meanwhile, it was reported that the Gwangju Police Agency conveyed that Chief Kim was unavailable for a meeting due to external commitments.

Park Juntae, Chief of Staff to the People Power Party leader, issued a statement after the failed meeting, strongly criticizing the response of the Gwangju Police Agency. Park stated, “What is clear is that the Gwangju Police Chief left the building in a hurry, citing a schedule that had not been confirmed in the morning,” and added, “It is highly inappropriate for the official in charge of investigating a case that has raised public suspicion to avoid explanation and even block the official protest visit of the party leader and lawmakers.”

He continued, “This is tantamount to the Gwangju Police Agency confessing to being an accomplice in the Jang Yunki case,” and added, “We will push for a National Assembly hearing on the Jang Yunki case.”

Park explained that in the morning, the police had indicated that it would be difficult for Chief Kim Younggeun to attend a meeting, suggesting that he could become a subject of the investigation depending on its progress. In response, the Chief of Staff to the party leader reiterated their position: “If you refuse to accept a protest visit even though you are not yet a subject of investigation, we can only assume you are, so you must agree to the meeting.”

However, after Jang arrived at the Gwangju Police Agency, the police changed their stance, saying a meeting was difficult due to “on-site inspections” and “other commitments,” and even restricted the delegation’s access to the building.

He also stated, “This visit does not require prior coordination,” and questioned, “Does an opposition lawmaker need the police chief’s permission to visit? Should we send an invitation?”

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