Jang Yoon-gi Case Investigation Team Leader Apologizes to Victim's Family: "No Intentional Cover-up"

"It Is My Own Doing... Regretting the Inadequate Investigation"

The investigation team leader at the time of the 'Gwangju High School Girl Murderer' Jang Yoon-gi (23) case, who has been arrested and sent to prosecution on charges of an inadequate initial investigation and destruction of evidence, has apologized to the victim's family.

On the 16th, Park, 57, the detective inspector who was the head of the violent crime team at Gwangsan Police Station when the Jang Yoon-gi case occurred, stated through his legal representative, "I apologize for failing to actively prosecute Jang Yoon-gi for rape and murder and for not sending the case over with the appropriate legal charges."

Detective A, the head of the investigative team at Gwangsan Police Station in Gwangju, accused of destroying evidence in the 'high school girl murder case' involving Jang Yoon-gi, is seen leaving the courtroom after attending the pre-trial detention hearing at the Gwangju District Court in Dong-gu, Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City on the morning of the 8th. Photo by Yonhap News.

Inspector Park said, "I regret that I was unable to thoroughly record the circumstances of the case, the investigation process, and the grounds for our judgment in the investigation reports at the time of the case transfer. I missed the opportunity to transfer materials because of my fear that I would be disciplined or unable to retire honorably, and I did not actively cooperate in the process of belatedly locating and re-seizing the cable tie earlier this month."

He added, "The criticism and blame for the inadequate investigation are entirely my own doing, and I am spending my days filled with regret and self-reproach."

However, Inspector Park expressed his frustration regarding the interim findings released the previous day by the Special Investigation Unit of the National Office of Investigation. Park's side argued, "It is unfair that the situation during the approximately ten days of investigation—from Jang Yoon-gi’s arrest to the case being sent to prosecution—was not considered, and that a retrospective assessment made at the present time is unilaterally drawn and distant from the substantive facts."

Regarding allegations of the investigation team's intentional cover-up, Inspector Park stated, "The officers on the investigation team only intended to punish the brutal offender Jang Yoon-gi to the fullest extent. There was absolutely no intention to go easy on him." He further claimed, "We will earnestly clarify during the prosecution's investigation and trial process that any procedural mistakes made were not intentional crimes." As for orders or interference from higher-ups, he drew a line, saying, "This is an issue to be clarified through future investigations."

Previously, on the 15th, the special investigation unit sent Inspector Park to the prosecution under arrest on charges of abuse of authority, evidence concealment, and dereliction of duty. Inspector Park is accused of discovering but not confiscating key evidence—specifically, a cable tie and a sex doll—that could prove the intent to commit rape during the search of Jang Yoon-gi's residence and vehicle on the day he was caught. He is also alleged to have instructed his team not to frame the case as a sex crime.

Currently, both the prosecution and police have expanded their investigation after Inspector Park's indictment, booking the then-chief of Gwangsan Police Station (Senior Superintendent) and the head of the criminal division (Superintendent) on charges of issuing improper investigative instructions. Additionally, a detective from the violent crime team is under investigation for leaking confidential investigation information—including details about the arrest and warrants—to Jang Yoon-gi’s father (charge: official secrets disclosure).

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