Father of murder suspect Jang Yun-gi disposed of son's evidence, prosecutors say

The father of Jang Yun-gi, 23, who is accused of killing a high school girl on a street in Gwangju, disposed of evidence linked to the crime, investigators have found.

According to the Gwangju District Prosecutors Office, Jang is charged with stabbing and killing Lee Chae-won, 16, a high school student, on a road near a university in Wolge-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, at around 12:11 a.m. on May 5. He is also charged with attempting to kill another high school student, identified only by his surname Ko, 17, who ran to help Lee. Prosecutors say both attacks were carried out with the intent to rape.

Two days before the killings, Jang is also accused of breaking into the home of a 26-year-old foreign woman, identified only as A, with whom he had worked at a restaurant, raping her and holding her captive for about 13 hours.

Prosecutors based the charges on a comprehensive investigation that included conversations Jang had with acquaintances, the method used in the crime against A, and the discovery of a sex doll at his home — all pointing to an attempted abduction for the purpose of sexual assault that ended in murder. Charges include violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes (rape-related murder), attempted murder, preparation for murder, and violation of the Stalking Punishment Act.

During the investigation, prosecutors confirmed that Jang's father, an active-duty police officer, disposed of items from Jang's residence, including the sex doll.

Investigators also determined that Jang had owned multiple mobile phones beyond the one he threw into the Yeongsan River and a factory-reset handset seized by police — and that his father had disposed of those as well.

Although prosecutors confirmed the circumstances of the evidence destruction, they were unable to indict the father because a provision in the criminal code exempts family members from prosecution for destroying evidence on behalf of a relative.

Under current law, destroying evidence in another person's criminal case is punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 7 million won ($4,520). A special exemption applies, however, when a family member or cohabiting relative commits such an act on behalf of their kin.

Jang has acknowledged all charges in court except for the allegation that the killings were motivated by sexual assault.

His next trial is scheduled to continue at the Gwangju District Court on July 13.