Hong Seok-gi, head of the National Office of Investigation (NOI), addressed concerns about potential "covering for our own" by the soon-to-launch in-house corruption investigation unit under his direct control, saying, "It is a criticism that could very well arise," and "We will prepare complementary measures."
The Deputy Minister said at a regular press briefing on the 3rd, "We plan to discuss this in depth at the Police Investigation Reform Committee," and stated accordingly.
After allegations surfaced of a shoddy investigation and collusion in the "high school girl murder suspect" Jang Yoon-gi case, the Korean National Police Agency decided to establish an in-house corruption investigation unit under the direct supervision of the head of the National Office of Investigation (NOI) as a countermeasure. However, concerns persisted that the in-house corruption investigation unit would find it difficult to properly investigate misconduct cases involving officers of the Korean National Police Agency and the National Office of Investigation (NOI).
The Deputy Minister explained, "If a public official affiliated with the Korean National Police Agency commits an illegal act, we will prepare good options, such as allowing the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency to conduct the investigation."
The Deputy Minister also said, "We are analyzing the results of the full review of cases involving police families," and "We are reviewing how to ensure they take root well in training by comprehensively analyzing the measures taken by the provincial police agencies."
Regarding the suspicion that there was an attempt at the National Office of Investigation (NOI) level to downplay the Jang Yoon-gi case, the Deputy Minister said, "Within the limited detention period, we had to refer the murder case and secure detention."
He added, "There was a consideration that, for incidents that were separate offenses, a complete investigation should be conducted and the Women and Youth Division should investigate them, and I understand that was why the instruction was given." However, he said, "It is difficult to disclose the detailed content because we are currently investigating."