A police review committee has recommended that Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Jang Kyung-tae be referred to prosecutors on sexual misconduct charges.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Criminal Investigation Review Committee on Wednesday recommended "referral to prosecution" for the quasi-forcible indecent act charges against Rep. Jang. For allegations of secondary victimization, including violations of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (confidentiality breach), the committee recommended "referral after supplementary investigation."
The review session began at 3 p.m. and lasted approximately four hours. Investigators from the Women and Youth Crime Investigation Division met separately with Rep. Jang and the accuser's legal counsel. Each side provided statements for about 30 minutes, followed by additional questioning. The committee then deliberated internally for about an hour before reaching its decision.
Rep. Jang spoke to reporters immediately after the review concluded. "We discussed the case proceedings, and I testified faithfully," he said. When asked if he was confident of being cleared, he replied, "Of course. There are no charges to be found guilty of. There is no evidence." He added, "I will do whatever is possible, whether it's a face-to-face interrogation or a lie detector test. The burden of proof lies with the accuser."
The review was conducted at Rep. Jang's request on December 9, when he asked the committee to examine the appropriateness and legality of the investigation procedures and the decision on prosecution referral. Rep. Jang's side reportedly requested the committee to consider the need for lie detector tests and face-to-face interrogations of the accuser and witnesses, as well as the seizure of mobile phones belonging to the accuser and her ex-boyfriend.
The Criminal Investigation Review Committee examines the fairness and completeness of investigations when parties raise objections. It can recommend reinvestigation or supplementary investigation and comprises both internal police members and external experts.
