"Please Take a Good Look at This Face... Hundreds of Long-Term Missing Persons Need Ongoing Attention" [Interview]

Long-term Missing Children, About 640 as of Last Year
"Declining Social Interest... Need for Continuous Awareness"
"Urgent Need to Establish Systems for Missing Adults"

Chairman Naju Bong (65) of the National Association of Citizens for Finding Missing and Lost Families (Jeonmichatmo). Holding materials related to a missing person case. Photo by Kay Kim katekim221@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] "Whether one is one year old or one hundred years old, efforts must be made to find missing citizens of the Republic of Korea."

Every year on May 25th is World Missing Children's Day, established in 1983 following the 1979 incident in New York, USA, where Ethan Patz (then 6 years old) was abducted and later found deceased.

In South Korea, related events have been held since 2007 to raise awareness about missing children. With the partial amendment of the 'Act on the Protection and Support of Missing Children' passing the National Assembly plenary session last March, Missing Children's Day was officially designated as a legal commemorative day starting this year.

The number of long-term missing children in South Korea reached 643 as of April 30th last year. Among them, 509 children have not returned to their families even after more than 10 years since the missing report was filed. Although missing cases occur every year, there are still blind spots in the system. Therefore, continuous social attention to missing persons is required.

On the occasion of 'Missing Children Week,' on the afternoon of the 27th, we met with Naju-bong (65), president of the National Association of Citizens Searching for Missing Children and Families (Jeonmi-charmo), at a container office in Cheongnyangni, Seoul.

President Na has been engaged in the search for missing families for over 30 years, visiting facilities nationwide and has found about 700 to 800 missing persons.

One of the three major unsolved cases in Korea, the "Frog Boys Disappearance Case" photo shows a flyer searching for the missing persons at the time [Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ "29 Years of Activity... Started Out of Sympathy for the Parents of the 'Frog Boys'"

In the 1980s, President Na, who operated a street stall near Cheongnyangni Station, lost his livelihood due to street vendor crackdowns and began traveling nationwide dressed as a traveling performer, selling cassette tapes.

Under the name 'Pumba Agency,' President Na continued performing and started searching for missing persons after meeting the parents of five missing children from Daegu, known as the 'Frog Boys.' Although he faced health difficulties a few years ago, he has been working for 29 years this year to resolve missing cases.

President Na stated, "In July 1991, I met the parents of the 'Frog Boys' who were searching on Wolmido Island in Jung-gu, Incheon."

He explained, "I was performing at the time. I saw the parents park their car in front and hand out flyers. Someone took a flyer and removed gum stuck to their shoe with it. I felt sorry for the parents of missing children, and since I had experienced similar pain, I helped them. Using a microphone to promote and distribute flyers was much more effective than handing them out one by one to people."

He continued, "As I went to crowded places like markets and station squares, I also gave media interviews. It became a topic, and I met with police officers and district officials several times to discuss. While going around like this, I met other families of missing persons and continued my activities. At that time, the related laws were insufficient, so many families of missing children came to me for help," he added.

Inside the container office of the National Association of Citizens Searching for Missing Children and Families (Jeonmichatmo) located in Cheongnyangni, Seoul. Flyers featuring images of missing children densely cover the walls. Photo by Kay Kim.

◆ "What Matters Is Social Interest... Amendment of Related Laws Is Also Necessary"

The Korea Post Office Headquarters, on the 25th, in commemoration of 'World Missing Children's Day,' launched a long-term missing children search campaign called 'Hope Tape' in collaboration with the National Police Agency, Hanjin Express, and Cheil Worldwide. According to this campaign, 'Hope Tapes' containing information about long-term missing children were placed in 22 main post offices in the Seoul area.

Regarding this movement, President Na strongly pointed out, "It's a good intention, but it's not that missing persons can't be found due to lack of publicity."

He said, "It's not that publicity is lacking; photos of missing children are attached everywhere, even on tax bills. Rather, there is an overflow. The problem is that no one properly looks at them. People just see them and tear them up and throw them away. The Hope Tape has a good purpose, but how many people will actually look at it?" he questioned.

He emphasized, "The government must strive to create a consensus so that citizens can look for our children with the eyes of police officers. Forming a consensus alongside publicity is the most important."

President Na raised his voice, saying, "The government must deliver a hopeful message that missing families can be reunited," and stressed the urgency of amending related laws.

He argued, "Adoption-related laws and missing children laws need comprehensive supplementation. Many missing persons live registered under changed names, surnames, and ages," and added, "I think it is also necessary to establish methods to find missing persons through DNA testing."

He continued, "For example, if anyone separated from their family can go to a nearby police station and get a DNA test, many missing persons could be found. Overseas, if cooperation is sought through consulates and embassies, a venue akin to a 'second reunion of separated families' could be opened," he added.

Inside the container office of the National Association of Citizens Searching for Missing Children and Families (Jeonmichatmo) located in Cheongnyangni, Seoul. Flyers featuring images of missing children densely cover the walls. Photo by Kay Kim katekim221@asiae.co.kr

◆ "Adult Missing Persons Issue Remains a Blind Spot... Urgent Need for System Establishment"

President Na stated that adult missing cases are steadily increasing and argued that the Missing Children Act, which only applies to children under 18, should be supplemented.

He emphasized, "Adult missing cases continue to occur, but no measures have been established, leaving them as blind spots. Related laws must be enacted. When adults go missing, there are no relevant laws, and investigative agencies often treat cases as simple runaways or blame families, saying 'they must have had a reason to leave home.' A system is needed to prevent missing cases and find them quickly."

He added, "Measures such as registering DNA of missing persons' families to identify adult missing persons or unidentified deceased persons must be devised," and "It is also important for investigative agencies handling cases to develop expertise and cultivate empathy to meet the perspectives of missing persons' families."

President Na conveyed that missing families face difficulties due to the lack of systems. Since the enforcement of the 'Personal Information Protection Act' in 2011, it has become difficult to verify lists at domestic facilities such as those for the disabled. Although the 'Missing Children Search Center' under the National Police Agency conducts intensive search periods annually to inspect facilities, there have been continuous criticisms that the search periods and targets are limited.

President Na said, "We shouldn't conduct blanket investigations while accompanying the police," and added, "Even now, missing families go around looking for their loved ones, but many places do not open their doors. They only open after a struggle and a request for cooperation from the police."

He urged, "When missing families try to find missing persons, institutions or facilities should have identification cards or similar documents to request cooperation in confirming missing persons such as unclaimed individuals."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.