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Acting National Police Agency Commissioner Yoo Jae-sung issued an official apology over allegations of a botched police investigation and evidence destruction related to the Jang Yun-gi case, pledging a sweeping overhaul of police investigations.
Yoo, who cut short a U.S. business trip and returned home early, held a video conference with police leadership nationwide on the morning of the 10th and stressed, "We will innovate police investigations so that we can restore the public's trust."
Yoo said, "In connection with the Jang Yun-gi case, the deplorable event has occurred in which the investigation team leader at the police station at the time was arrested on charges of destroying evidence." He added, "As acting National Police Agency commissioner, I take the public's concern and criticism seriously."
He continued, "I deeply apologize for once again inflicting a wound that will be hard to heal on the bereaved family through this incident," and said, "I feel very sorry for disappointing the public as well."
Yoo said he would thoroughly investigate all allegations raised in connection with the case. "Through investigation and internal inspection, we will punish those responsible for this incident as severely as the law and system allow," he said. "We will conduct a swift and thorough investigation without leaving a shred of doubt."
He also unveiled organizational reform measures to prevent a recurrence. The police plan to form a "task force for reform to enhance trust in police investigations," centered on outside experts, to review the entire police investigation system and prepare improvement measures.
An internal corruption investigation unit will also be newly established under the direct control of the National Office of Investigation chief. The unit will exclusively investigate investigative misconduct and corruption by police nationwide, and the police plan to respond more strictly to misconduct in the investigation process through it.
Yoo also presented directions for institutional improvement. "We will listen more closely to the voices of victims in the police investigation process and firmly establish democratic control involving citizens," he said. "We will supplement procedural shortcomings and meticulously design institutional improvement measures to report to the public."
Yoo emphasized, "All police members will bear in mind that police investigative authority is entrusted to us by the public and will fulfill our responsibilities," adding, "Looking only to the public, we will innovate police investigations so that we can restore the public's trust."
Yoo had originally departed on a U.S. business trip to attend a UN police chiefs' meeting through the 11th of this month, but as public concern grew over allegations of a botched investigation in the Jang Yun-gi case, he canceled part of his schedule and returned home early through Incheon International Airport at around 4:20 a.m. that day.
