Figures in actress sex case to be quietly quizzed

A head of an online news company and other three or four figures who allegedly exploited the late actress Jang Ja-yeon will be questioned behind closed doors starting this week.

A police officer, requesting anonymity, said yesterday at the Bundang Police Precinct that the police will question those people at either police stations or precincts outside of Bundang Precinct.

“We are going to notify those to be questioned when to come as soon as the schedule is settled,” said the officer. “There is a risk of defaming them if we summon them openly since they have not been officially charged.”

The officer said that the police will concentrate on determining if they ordered Jang to serve them drinks and to sexually entertain them.

In addition, the officer told reporters that police are almost finished with selecting figures who will be summoned and those who will be questioned in person.

Those who will be summoned are suspected of forcing exploitation at room salons and karaoke bars in the Gangnam area. The others are thought to only have been present.

Earlier, Officer Lee Myeong-gyun from the Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency reversed a previous announcement made Friday morning that police would release the names of figures who allegedly humiliated Jang.

“In the final investigation report, we will elaborate on those who were listed in the document written by Jang and sued by the bereaved family. Furthermore, we are planning to announce the details of their charges. Since the case has drawn people’s attention, people could accuse the police for not conducting the investigation thoroughly if the police do not identify the figures.”

Lee also pledged to clearly inform the public why some were considered guilty and others not guilty after finishing the probe and to open the document to the public if the Jang’s family agrees. However, seven hours later, Lee sent a text message to reporters saying police would not release the names. Instead, he said the police would work hard to get to the bottom of the matter.

Also on Friday, a court issued an arrest warrant for Kim Sung-hoon, the head of Jang’s former agency.

Lee said that police are going to seek Kim’s extradition from Japan with help from the Justice Ministry. Kim fled to Japan on Dec. 2 and has not returned to Korea since.

Lee also said the ministry will ask Japan’s legal authorities to cooperate in tracking down his whereabouts by checking his phone records.

By Jang Joo-young, Lee Min-yong [smartpower@joongang.co.kr]