Police move to contain fallout from Jang Yun-gi investigation scandal

Acting chief convenes nationwide command video conference Friday

Acting Korean National Police Agency Commissioner Yoo Jae-seong arrives at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport on Friday after cutting short a trip to the United States. [Yonhap]
Acting Korean National Police Agency Commissioner Yoo Jae-seong arrives at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport on Friday after cutting short a trip to the United States. [Yonhap]

Acting Korean National Police Agency Commissioner Yoo Jae-seong cut short a trip to the United States and returned home Friday, convening a nationwide police command video conference to address the misconduct scandal surrounding the Jang Yun-gi investigation.

Opening the command meeting that morning, Yoo said it was "devastating" that the detective who led the investigation at the police station at the time of the Jang Yun-gi case had been detained on charges of destroying evidence. "Through criminal investigation and internal audit, we will punish those responsible for this incident to the fullest extent the law and the system allow," he said.

Yoo then offered a direct apology to the victim's family. "I sincerely apologize for once again inflicting wounds on the bereaved family that will be difficult to heal," he said, adding that he was "deeply sorry to the public for the disappointment we have caused."

Yoo said the agency was working on internal reforms and pledged to prevent a recurrence. "We will address procedural shortcomings to ensure police investigations are conducted more faithfully and fairly, and we will carefully design institutional improvements to report back to the public soon," he said.

The Korean National Police Agency announced plans to establish a task force — chaired by an outside figure — to review the entire police investigation system. It also said it would set up an internal corruption investigation unit directly under the National Investigation Headquarters to gather intelligence on misconduct cases across the country and launch investigations.

"We will investigate every issue raised in this case swiftly and thoroughly, leaving no room for doubt," Yoo said.

He closed by saying the agency took the public's concerns and criticism "gravely." "Every member of the police force will keep in mind that investigative authority is a power entrusted to us by the people, and we will fulfill our responsibilities," he said.

Yoo had been on an official trip to the United States when the Jang Yun-gi controversy escalated, prompting him to return a day ahead of schedule. He appeared before reporters at the Incheon International Airport arrivals hall at around 4:30 a.m. Friday and said he recognized "the gravity of this matter."

Asked about supplementary investigative powers becoming a flashpoint as prosecutors' functions are being restructured, Yoo offered a measured response, saying the issue "will be decided legislatively after sufficient deliberation in the National Assembly."

Prosecutors, while conducting a supplementary investigation into convicted murderer Jang Yun-gi, uncovered evidence that the police investigation chain at the time had leaked case information to Jang's father — an active-duty police officer — and helped him destroy evidence. As allegations of a systematic cover-up within the police emerged, the agency launched a special investigation team on Monday to probe those involved. The detective who had led the investigation into the Jang Yun-gi case was detained on charges of destroying evidence on Wednesday.


arin@heraldcorp.com