Gangnam Police Station Replaces Entire Investigation and Criminal Teams Amid Allegations of Cover-Up in Yang Jungwon Case
The entire investigation and criminal division team at Gangnam Police Station has been replaced following allegations that they covered up a fraud case involving Yang Jungwon, a broadcaster and former Pilates instructor, in exchange for money and valuables.
On May 12, 2026, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced its regular personnel appointments for superintendents in the first half of the year. Through this reshuffle, Superintendent Son Jaeman, who transferred from the North Gyeongsang Provincial Police Agency, has been appointed as the new head of Investigation Division 1 at Gangnam Police Station. Superintendents Yoo Minjae and Chae Myeongcheol, who both transferred from the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency, have been assigned as the new heads of Investigation Divisions 2 and 3, respectively.
Investigation Divisions 1 and 2 at Gangnam Police Station have been in charge of multiple cases in which Yang was sued several times in 2024 by franchise owners of a Pilates academy on charges including fraud.
The franchisees claim that they were deceived by recruitment promotional materials containing Yang's detailed profile and promises to share her know-how in operating an academy.
During the investigation, it was discovered that Yang's husband, known to be wealthy, provided entertainment to Inspector A, who was then the team leader of Investigation Division 1 at Gangnam Police Station, and requested leniency in the investigation into his wife. As a result, the police officers involved in the case have either been suspended from their positions or are under internal investigation.
In the criminal division, the head of Criminal Division 1 at Gangseo Police Station has been reassigned as the head of Division 1 at Gangnam Police Station, and the head of the criminal division at Yongsan Police Station has been reassigned as the head of Division 2.
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Meanwhile, the police had previously announced plans for rotational assignments for superintendents and inspectors working in the investigation departments following the corruption scandal at Gangnam Police Station.
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