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🇰🇷 South Korea /Crime & Justice

South Korean Police Chief Apologizes Amidst Investigation Scandal

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The acting chief of the National Police Agency, Yoo Jae-seong, returned early from an overseas trip to address a scandal involving alleged poor investigation and collusion in the "Gwangju high school student murder case."
  • Yoo apologized to the public for the distress caused by the incident and stated his commitment to addressing the issue seriously.
  • The police agency is forming a task force and establishing an internal investigation unit to prevent similar incidents and reform its investigative practices.

Acting National Police Agency Chief Yoo Jae-seong made an early return from an overseas trip to address public concerns over alleged poor investigation and collusion in the "Gwangju high school student murder case."

I am deeply sorry for causing concern to the public regarding this case.

— Yoo Jae-seongActing National Police Agency Chief apologizing for the scandal.

Arriving at Incheon International Airport, Yoo offered a public apology, stating, "I am deeply sorry for causing concern to the public regarding this case." He acknowledged the gravity of the situation, which prompted his early return from a trip to the United States for a UN Police Chiefs meeting.

Yoo is scheduled to hold a video conference with national police leadership to discuss countermeasures. The agency has already announced the formation of an external task force, led by an independent figure, to conduct a thorough review of similar cases. Additionally, an internal investigation unit will be established directly under the National Investigation Headquarters to address internal misconduct.

I returned early from my overseas trip. That's how seriously I recognize the gravity of this matter.

— Yoo Jae-seongExplaining his early return from an international trip due to the scandal.

Regarding calls to abolish the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights, Yoo stated that the matter would be decided through legislative processes in the National Assembly, with the police providing their input during the discussions.

Regarding the supplementary investigation rights, I believe it will be decided through sufficient discussion in the National Assembly as a legislative policy. The police will also provide necessary opinions during the discussion process.

— Yoo Jae-seongCommenting on the debate surrounding the prosecution's investigative powers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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