- Four missing people have been found dead on South Korean holiday island Jeju, as local police face mounting public criticism for allegedly mishandling missing persons cases.
- The bodies were discovered over three days from Saturday through Monday, including that of 37-year-old Jang Mi-ran, whose body was located on Monday.
- Police sergeant Bu has been arrested on suspicion of dereliction of duty and falsifying records, amid allegations of closing cases prematurely.
- President Lee Jae Myung ordered sweeping police reform and called for accountability during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, highlighting serious issues in police discipline.
- Jang Mi-ran went missing in May, and a man in his 60s was reported missing on 28 June, with both cases allegedly closed prematurely by police.
- The national police chief faced intense scrutiny during an emergency National Assembly hearing on Monday, admitting that "there is a fault in the system."
Four missing people have been found dead on South Korea's Jeju Island, leading to public outrage and calls for police accountability. The bodies were discovered over three days, with the police facing criticism for allegedly mishandling the cases.123
The arrest of a police sergeant, surnamed Bu, has intensified scrutiny. He is accused of lying to families and closing cases without confirming the safety of the missing individuals. Bu had reportedly told the family of a man in his 60s that he was "safe" but did not wish to disclose his location, only for them to later find his body after 51 days.
President Lee Jae Myung has ordered a sweeping reform of the police force, emphasizing the need for greater accountability. He stated, "Responsibility must be strengthened in proportion to the size of the authority," highlighting the public's concerns about police handling of such cases.
The police are now reviewing nearly 300 missing-person reports handled by Bu, with about 10 cases under investigation for possible improper closure. The controversy follows a recent shift in investigative powers, leaving police with a significantly expanded role.
Acting National Police Commissioner Yoo Jae-seong has apologized and promised institutional improvements to prevent future mishandling of cases, stating, "We will examine the entire system and make institutional improvements so that this never happens again."
Last year, South Korean police received 70,814 reports of missing adults, with the majority resolved within 30 days, but the recent events have raised serious questions about the effectiveness of the current system.
“The scandal deepened with the arrest of police sergeant Bu, accused of lying to families and prematurely closing cases, including that of Jang Mi-ran, whose body was found 104 days after she vanished. Police are reviewing nearly 300 missing-person reports handled by Bu, with about 10 under scrutiny for improper closure.”
BBC
