The murder of a 17-year-old high school student in Gwangju escalates into a broader controversy involving allegations of police corruption and abuse of power. Reports say investigators believe the accused, 23-year-old Jang Yoon-gi, followed Lee Chae-won during the early hours of May 5 as she walked home along a dimly lit route. Authorities allege Jang parked his car nearby and left the rear passenger door open, then approached from behind, restraining Lee by the neck before fatally stabbing her with a knife. A male high school student who heard her screams and attempted to help was also allegedly stabbed.
In response to growing public criticism over the handling of the case, South Korea’s National Police Agency announces plans to launch a reform task force. It also plans to establish an internal unit tasked with investigating alleged police misconduct, aiming to introduce stricter oversight measures. The move is presented as part of an effort to address trust concerns at a time when the government is discussing ways to expand police responsibility for investigations.
