Jang Yun-gi targeted victim in planned attack, evidence shows — police knew but didn't investigate

Evidence found on Jang Yun-gi's phone suggests he knew the victim before the killing, contradicting his claim that he did not know her

Evidence suggesting that Jang Yun-gi, 23, who has claimed the killing was impulsive, had known his victim before the murder — without her knowledge — has been found, and police are now investigating the matter. It has also emerged that investigators were aware of signs pointing to a premeditated attack but did not pursue them.

The Korean National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters special investigation unit held a press briefing at the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency on Wednesday to announce interim findings from its investigation into alleged misconduct in the Jang Yun-gi case.

The special unit said it had found circumstantial evidence suggesting Jang had been aware of the victim, the late Lee Chae-won, 16, long before the attack — without her knowledge.

While the unit did not disclose specifics, it said the evidence was found on a spare mobile phone Jang had in his possession at the time of his arrest.

"Lee did not know Jang, but there are indications that Jang deliberately targeted her," a special unit official said. "We cannot disclose the details at this stage, as the investigation is ongoing and we are concerned about secondary harm to the victim."

The special unit is also investigating why the Gwangsan Police Station investigative team handling the murder case — which had detected these signs early on — chose not to pursue them.

Jang, who had maintained throughout the police investigation that the killing was unplanned, acknowledged at his second court hearing at the Gwangju District Court on Monday that the crime was committed with the intent to commit a sex crime.

Jang had also denied planning the attack to reporters when he was transferred to prosecutors on May 14, saying he had not known the victim was a high school student.