'Gwangju Killer' Jang's Identity to Be Disclosed on the 14th... First Public Release of Heinous Crime Suspect in Gwangju

Decision Made Considering Brutality, Seriousness, and Public's Right to Know
Name, Age, and Mugshot to Be Posted on Website for One Month

The personal information of Jang, a 24-year-old man who murdered a female high school student he did not know and seriously injured a male high school student in downtown Gwangju in the middle of the night, will be made public on May 14. This is the first time that the identity of a suspect in a heinous crime has been disclosed in Gwangju.

On May 8, the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency held a Personal Information Disclosure Review Committee and decided to release Jang's name, age, and facial photograph, who has been detained on charges of murder and attempted murder. The committee determined that all the requirements of the Personal Information Disclosure Act were met, including the brutality of the crime, the seriousness of the damage, sufficient evidence, the public's right to know, and public interest.

On the morning of the 7th, Jang, the suspect in the 'random murder' case, arrived at the Gwangju District Court in Dong-gu, Gwangju for the pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant hearing). Yonhap News

The photos to be released are being reviewed, including a 'mugshot' taken for recording the criminal's appearance. Jang's personal information will be posted on the website of the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency for 30 days, from 9 a.m. on May 14 until June 12.

Initially, Jang's information was scheduled to be disclosed immediately following the committee's decision. However, because Jang did not consent to the release, the actual posting was postponed by several days. Under the current Serious Crime Suspect Personal Information Disclosure Act, if the suspect does not provide written consent, there must be a grace period of at least five days after notification of the decision.

At approximately 12:11 a.m. on May 5, Jang is accused of stabbing and killing a 17-year-old female high school sophomore, identified as A, who was on her way home on a walkway in Wolgye-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, and of inflicting serious injuries on a 17-year-old male student, identified as B, who tried to help after hearing her screams.

During the police investigation, Jang reportedly stated, "Life was not enjoyable, and as I was considering suicide, I decided to commit the crime to take someone with me."

The police are focusing on determining the exact motive and psychological state behind the crime, including conducting a psychopathy (antisocial personality disorder) diagnostic test on Jang.

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