National Investigation Headquarters Subjected to Simultaneous Raids: What Really Happened in the Jang Yoon-gi Investigation?

Police and Prosecution Conduct Simultaneous Search of National Investigation Headquarters
Statement Issued One Day After Claims of 'Directive for Separate Investigation'
"No Suggestion from Gwangju Police to Apply Rape and Murder Charges"
"Ensuring Investigative Completeness...Directed Joint Investigation of Homicide and Women and Youth Divisions"

The National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency, which faced an unprecedented simultaneous search and seizure by both the police and the prosecution over the Jang Yoonki case, has issued a statement refuting claims that it directed a separate investigation to prevent the application of rape and murder charges.

They clarified that they did not specifically instruct on which charges to apply, but rather oversaw a joint investigation between the homicide and women & youth divisions, judging that it would be difficult to prove the additional sexual assault charges within the period allocated for transferring the murder case. They particularly emphasized that there had never been a prior suggestion from the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency to consider applying rape and murder charges to Jang Yoonki.

The Special Investigation Unit of the National Police Agency is conducting a search and seizure at the National Investigation Headquarters on the morning of the 21st to verify the command structure during the investigation of the Jang Yoonki case. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

A representative of the Violent Crime Investigations Division at the National Investigation Headquarters stated on the 21st, "We determined that it would be difficult for the victim to prove another sexual assault case and transfer both cases together within the timeframe for the homicide case transfer." He added, "To ensure investigative completeness, the sexual assault case was handled by the dedicated Women and Youth Division, and records related to the sexual assault investigation were attached to the homicide investigation file." This statement was made one day after the investigative team claimed, "The decision for a separate investigation was directed by the National Investigation Headquarters."

On the same morning, the Special Investigation Unit of the National Police Agency and the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office both conducted a search and seizure at the National Investigation Headquarters. Following testimony from team members of the Gwangju Gwangsan Police Station referring to the National Investigation Headquarters the previous day, and after attending a pretrial detention examination for former Criminal Affairs section chief Park, who had been charged with dereliction of duty, Park's defense stated, "The National Investigation Headquarters gave instructions three times not to merge the foreign women's sex crime case and the high school girl's murder case."

Earlier, in May, Jang Yoonki was indicted and detained on charges of murdering high school sophomore Chae-won Lee in Jeollnam-Gwangju. He also faces allegations of imprisoning and sexually assaulting a Vietnamese woman who had been his coworker prior to the murder.

Jang Yoon-gi stands at the photo line before being transferred to Gwangju Western Police Station on murder charges last May. Photo by Yonhap News

The Violent Crime Investigations Division representative explained, "While the sexual assault case was investigated by the Women and Youth Division, all records necessary for processing were attached to the homicide case, resulting in the initial transfer." He continued, "Cooperation with the prosecution meant the case should be indicted by early June, and the analysis results of the secured evidence arrived on May 21, with the transfer made the very next day. It's not that we tried to conceal anything."

It is uncommon for the National Investigation Headquarters to directly supervise cases usually handled by local police stations. The Violent Crime Investigations Division representative further stated, "It's hard to even describe this as direct supervision," adding, "We may discuss procedural matters, but since the National Investigation Headquarters does not have access to all investigation records when making decisions, we do not generally dictate what charges should be applied."

The Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office conducted a search and seizure operation at the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency on the 15th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

However, according to the National Investigation Headquarters, coordinating procedural matters such as separate investigations is not unusual. The representative emphasized, "It's true instructions were given by our department, but since the Gwangju Gwangsan Police Station indicated they would handle it, there were combined elements as well." He added, "Our approach was to call it a joint investigation at the time (not a separate investigation), meaning the Criminal Affairs and Women and Youth Divisions within the same police station were to cooperate."

Regarding claims that the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency had previously suggested considering rape and murder charges, he dismissed them by saying, "That never happened." He further explained, "When Jang Yoonki was transferred, there was an investigative report noting there was circumstantial evidence of a sexual motive, but since he denied committing the act, it was difficult to make a definitive determination. We had no other choice but to apply the charge in order to proceed with the transfer."

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