Gangnam Police Investigation Team Replaced Amid Allegations in Yang Jung-won Case

The investigation and detective units at Seoul's Gangnam Police Station, which were handling the fraud case related to pilates instructor-turned-broadcaster Yang Jung-won, have been entirely replaced. Allegations of bribery and case dismissal during the investigation process had been raised against the former team.

As part of its regular promotions for superintendents in the first half of 2026, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency appointed Superintendent Son Jae-man, formerly of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency, as the new head of Investigation Division 1 at Gangnam Station. Superintendents Yoo Min-jae and Chae Myeong-cheol, transferred from the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency, will each lead Investigation Divisions 2 and 3.

Investigation Divisions 1 and 2 at Gangnam Station had been handling cases where Yang was repeatedly sued in 2024 by franchisees of a pilates academy on charges including fraud. The franchisees claimed they were deceived by promotional materials that promised sharing Yang's academy operational know-how.

Evidence has emerged suggesting that Yang's husband, identified as Mr. Lee, provided favors to Superintendent A, who was the team leader of Investigation Division 1, and requested the dismissal of the investigation. Police officers involved in this matter have been suspended or are under internal investigation, and the police conducted a rotational reassignment of superintendents and senior superintendents within the investigation divisions at Gangnam Station.