A special investigation team from the Korean National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters leaves Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency after conducting a search and seizure on Saturday morning. [Yonhap]
A special investigation team from the Korean National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters leaves Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency after conducting a search and seizure on Saturday morning. [Yonhap]

Police have booked additional senior officers in the investigation into alleged misconduct surrounding the case of Jang Yun-gi, who was convicted of murdering a high school girl in Gwangju.

The Korean National Police Agency's special investigation unit said Tuesday it had booked the then-chief of Gwangju's Gwangsan Police Station, the station's criminal investigations chief and the lead investigator on the case on charges of abuse of authority and dereliction of duty.

Investigators have identified multiple instances of suspected misconduct in the handling of the Jang case, including the destruction of evidence and the leaking of confidential investigative information. Police are also looking into whether undue influence was exerted in the decision to refer Jang on charges of simple murder rather than rape-murder.

Supplementary investigations by prosecutors found that Jang's father — a serving police officer identified by his surname Jang, holding the rank of inspector — destroyed key evidence that could have supported rape-murder charges against his son, including a mobile phone and adult products. Cable ties from the vehicle Jang used in the crime were also found at the inspector's home. It also emerged that the elder Jang had been in contact with the police investigation team handling his son's case and received updates on the inquiry.

Police established the special investigation unit on July 6 to look into allegations that collusion lay behind the shoddy handling of the Jang case, and launched a full inquiry into the circumstances.


arin@heraldcorp.com