The entire investigation and detective leadership at the Gangnam Police Station has been replaced following allegations that bribes were accepted to cover up a fraud case involving broadcaster Yang Jung-won.
On the 12th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced regular personnel appointments for the first half of 2026. According to the announcement, Superintendent Son Jae-man from the Gyeongbuk Police Agency will lead Investigation Division 1, while Superintendents Yoo Min-jae and Chae Myeong-cheol from the Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency will take over Investigation Divisions 2 and 3, respectively.
The police had previously announced “rotational personnel changes” for superintendents and inspectors working in the investigation department after allegations of misconduct surfaced at the Gangnam Station.
Investigation Divisions 1 and 2 of the Gangnam Police Station had been handling cases where Yang Jung-won was sued multiple times in 2024 by franchise Pilates studio owners on charges of fraud.
The owners claim they were misled by recruitment promotional materials that featured her detailed profile and promised to share her know-how for running a studio.
During this process, circumstances were uncovered suggesting that Yang Jung-won’s husband, Mr. Lee, who is known to be wealthy, provided entertainment to Inspector A, then a team leader of Investigation Division 1, and requested that the investigation into his wife be dropped. As a result, the police officers involved have been relieved of their positions or are currently under internal inspection.
The detective lines were also replaced, with the head of Detective Division 1 from Gangseo Police Station moving to Gangnam Station’s Division 1, and the head of the Detective Division from Yongsan Police Station moving to Division 2.
