Gwangju Police Agency: "Detained Investigator Did Not Conceal Public Interest Report"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] The Gwangju Police Agency on the 29th refuted allegations that Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit Inspector A ignored a public interest report, stating that it is "completely untrue."

Inspector A is suspected of downplaying and concealing a report received after the October 2018 Hakdong 4 District union chief election regarding election interference by a promotional agent and suspicions of illegality during the conversion of a multi-family house located in Hakdong from a general building to a collective building.

Regarding this, the Gwangju Police Agency stated in a press release on the same day, "At that time, the whistleblower voluntarily and sufficiently testified about the report content four times in total, of which Inspector A conducted three investigations and another investigator conducted one."

First, concerning the multi-family house issue, they explained, "Based on the district office officials' investigation and related materials, it is judged to be a simple administrative error due to a data entry mistake."

They added, "Regarding the collective building issue, the promotional agent was investigated and phone records were reviewed to prove the charges, and the case was forwarded with a prosecution opinion, but the prosecution ultimately decided not to indict."

Furthermore, "Inspector A and the investigation team applied for warrants four times in total?three for financial account searches and one for location search?to identify union-related persons behind the promotional agent," they said.

However, they added, "The prosecution declined all these requests, making it difficult to prove charges through compulsory investigation, and as a result, the allegations against union-related persons and higher-ups were not identified."

The Gwangju Police Agency stated, "The metropolitan investigation team at the time, including Inspector A, tried to investigate the case without any suspicion," but also mentioned, "There was regret that only the promotional agent was forwarded with a prosecution opinion due to difficulties such as the prosecutor's refusal to request warrants."

They further said, "Currently, four teams of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Investigation Unit related to the Hakdong collapse accident are conducting investigations, and related investigations such as union corruption will proceed without disruption."

Meanwhile, Inspector A was arrested on the 23rd on charges of leaking investigation information to fellow police officers and failing to properly investigate despite knowing the criminal charges.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.