- Officer Bu admitted to falsely closing missing person cases to avoid the extra workload of keeping them open, according to the Jeju Provincial Police.
- The controversy arose after it was revealed that Bu had closed the case of Jang Mi-ran, a 37-year-old woman missing since May, without confirming her whereabouts.
- Jang's body was discovered near a palm tree plantation on Jeju last week, confirmed by an autopsy.
- Bu was arrested earlier this month for allegedly closing cases prematurely and lying to families of missing persons.
- On Tuesday, Bu was charged with forgery, obstruction, and dereliction of duty after admitting to his actions.
- President Lee has ordered an overhaul of the missing-person case system, emphasizing the need for clear lines of responsibility.
- Four officers in the chain of command at Jeju Seobu Police Station were removed from duty pending investigation into the handling of missing person cases.
- Jang Mi-ran was reported missing by her boyfriend in May, leading to the investigation that uncovered Bu's misconduct.
A Jeju police officer, surnamed Bu, has admitted to prematurely closing missing person cases to avoid extra workload, leading to significant public outcry and calls for police reform.
The officer was arrested after it was revealed he closed cases without proper investigation, including that of Jang Mi-ran, a 37-year-old woman who went missing in May. Authorities confirmed her body was found last week, with initial autopsy results indicating she died by hanging, although the cause of death remains undetermined due to decomposition.
Bu falsely claimed to have contacted Jang and logged that she had died in a traffic accident before closing her case. He is also accused of similarly mishandling another case involving a man in his 60s, who was found dead 51 days after being reported missing. Police believe Bu may have closed an additional 25 cases prematurely.
In response to the scandal, President Lee Jae Myung has ordered a comprehensive overhaul of the missing person case handling system, emphasizing the need for clear accountability. He stated, “The workload may be a factor, but this is ultimately a matter of people’s lives.”
Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung noted that legal constraints limit police actions regarding missing adults, but proposed legislation could allow for more proactive measures in urgent cases. Lee's comments reflect a growing concern over police integrity, as he lamented that the actions of a few “bad apples” tarnish the reputation of diligent officers.
The recent controversy has sparked discussions on police reform, with Lee urging the inclusion of missing person cases in government initiatives aimed at preventing avoidable deaths.
“Officer Bu was charged with forgery of public electronic records, obstruction of official duties, and dereliction of duty after falsely closing at least two cases, including that of Jang Mi-ran, whose body was found at a palm farm. Police believe he may have prematurely closed 25 other cases, and President Lee cited 930 missing people found dead in 2025.”
BBC
