Acting head of police vows sweeping reforms after Jang Yun-gi case
As part of the overhaul, the police plan to launch an investigative reform task force and an internal corruption investigation unit, as well as expand its rotational assignment system to include all ranks.
Acting Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency Yoo Jae-seong, right, speaks at a press briefing at the government complex in Jongno District, central Seoul, on July 16.NEWS1
Acting Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) Yoo Jae-seong on Monday reiterated his commitment to reforming the police force following allegations that the authorities mishandled investigations and colluded in murder suspect Jang Yun-gi’s case.
Responding to calls for the police leadership to step down, Yoo said that he would “faithfully carry out the responsibilities entrusted” to him, regardless of his position within the police.
Jang is accused of fatally stabbing a female high school student in Gwangju on May 5 and injuring a male high school student who rushed to the scene after hearing her scream. He was indicted while in custody on June 2.
The investigative team has been heavily criticized since it was found to have failed to secure key evidence, including a sex doll, and reportedly gave the passcode to the suspect’s apartment — which still contained evidence — to his father, who is an active member of the police force.
“The police will do everything that they can to restore public trust by fundamentally overhauling how they carry out investigations,” Yoo said.
As part of follow-up measures to the Gwangju murder case, the police plan to launch an investigative reform task force later this month.
The task force will consist of seven to 10 members — with a majority drawn from outside the police — and will review policies aimed at preventing collusion and ways to improve procedures for cases involving socially vulnerable groups.
The National Office of Investigation will also establish an internal corruption investigation unit that reports directly to its commissioner. The unit will investigate serious job-related crimes involving KNPA personnel of all ranks.
Acting Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency Yoo Jae-seong, right, bows during a press briefing at the government complex in Jongno District, central Seoul, on July 16.YONHAP
Additionally, the KNPA plans to expand the rotational assignment system to remove collusion stemming from officers’ local ties. Superintendents and some senior inspectors are already subject to nationwide rotations, but extending the system to all ranks is expected to raise equity concerns and require substantial additional funding. As a result, Yoo stressed that the police would fully consult frontline officers before making any final decisions.
“Because this is an issue that places a considerable burden on officers in the field, any expansion of rotational assignments must be accompanied by support measures,” he said. “[Initiatives] that can be implemented quickly will be introduced first. The investigative reform task force will then discuss more detailed issues.”
The acting commissioner then noted that the Police Act would need to be revised before a new police investigation and oversight body could be established under the National Police Commission. The proposed body would include about 100 civilian investigators.
“Related amendments have already been introduced in the National Assembly, and the police will actively provide input as lawmakers consider [the revisions],” he said.
Jang Yun-gi, who is accused of fatally stabbing a high school girl in downtown Gwangju on Children's Day, or May 5, is escorted from the Gwangju Seobu Police Station to be transferred to prosecutors on May 14.NEWS1
Responding to concerns over the proposed body’s effectiveness, Yoo said that strengthening the Korean National Police Commission is one of the Lee Jae Myung administration’s priorities.
“The body will only be effective if it has the authority to recommend personnel measures or disciplinary action to the police commissioner based on its investigative findings,” he said.
He also addressed “various claims circulating on social media,” but warned that “some are inaccurate because nothing has been finalized yet.”
“We will develop a reasonable plan that restores public trust while also winning the understanding and support of officers,” Yoo said.
A police inspector accused of tampering with evidence in the Jang Yun-gi case arrives at Gwangju District Court for a pretrial detention hearing on July 8.YONHAP
Regarding the inspection into Jang’s father, Yoo said that a final inspection conclusion could only be reached “after the criminal investigation is completed.”
On July 10, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok and other party lawmakers sought a meeting with Yoo over allegations surrounding the investigation into Jang. The meeting, however, did not take place after the two sides failed to agree on whether members of the press should be allowed to attend.
“Democratic Party lawmakers met with us privately, and we plan to meet with the People Power Party,” the acting commissioner said. “We’ll coordinate access to the [KNPA] building in accordance with security regulations.”
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
