On July 11, political tensions escalated over the investigation of the Gwangju high school murder case involving suspect Jang Yoon-ki. As allegations of collusion between Jang, a current police officer, and the investigation team surfaced, the Democratic Party criticized the inadequacy of law enforcement and called for a comprehensive re-investigation. In contrast, the People Power Party highlighted that the truth of the case was revealed through supplementary investigations by the prosecution, pushing back against the ruling party's efforts to abolish supplementary investigative powers.
The Democratic Party characterized the situation as a case of law enforcement protecting its own and intensified its criticism of the police. According to Yonhap News, spokesperson Park Kyung-mi stated in a written briefing, "If the hands of law enforcement, which should be pursuing the perpetrator, act as a shield for the criminal, it is not just an inadequate investigation but a collusion masquerading as an investigation." She strongly demanded a thorough re-investigation, asserting, "Only an investigation without sacred cows can provide answers."
Park particularly emphasized the need to punish those responsible for covering up the case, stating, "All individuals involved in the destruction and omission of evidence must be brought back into the investigation. We must uncover the substantial truth hidden behind the massive veil of concealment without any doubt."
Criticism also arose regarding the police's internal reform proposals aimed at managing the situation. Park pointed out, "In response to public outrage, the police proposed organizational reforms, including the establishment of a reform task force and an internal corruption investigation unit. What the public demands is not superficial measures for self-preservation but fundamental reforms that require painful sacrifices."
She added, "The Democratic Party will closely monitor the re-investigation process to ensure it proceeds without any deviation from the public's expectations, and we will stand with the people until those who attempted to cover up the truth face consequences."
Pressure also mounted on the opposition party, which has been boycotting parliamentary schedules. Floor spokesperson Lee Joo-hee pointed out in a written briefing, "If there are concerns about the bill to abolish supplementary investigative powers, it is the duty of lawmakers to discuss it during the parliamentary review process."
The People Power Party emphasized that the prosecution's supplementary investigation was crucial in revealing the truth of the case, directly countering the ruling party's push for changes in investigative authority. Senior spokesperson Park Sung-hoon stated in a commentary, "It was the supplementary investigation by the prosecution that uncovered the horrific details of the attempted rape and murder that the police had nearly overlooked and buried. This painful lesson proves why supplementary investigations are absolutely necessary."
Park also criticized YouTuber Kim Eo-jun for stating on his channel that "such cases occur several times a year," accusing him and Democratic Party members of attempting to obscure the essence of the case with a narrative of public opinion manipulation and a return to prosecutorial power.
Floor spokesperson Choi Eun-seok also emphasized the role of the prosecution in a commentary, stating, "Cases that would not have been revealed without the prosecution's supplementary investigation continue to emerge. Abolishing supplementary investigative powers would eliminate another opportunity to protect victims."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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