Prime Minister Han Sung-sook: "Zero Tolerance for Improper and Illegal Actions in Jeju Missing Person Case"

"Strict Disciplinary Action Against Police to Uphold Discipline"

Prime Minister Han Sung-sook has issued a stern warning that there will be zero tolerance for any inappropriate actions, including the arbitrary closure of cases by the police, in response to the incident in Jeju where a woman in her 30s went missing and was later found dead.

On the 24th, through her official X (formerly Twitter) account, Prime Minister Han stated, "We will thoroughly investigate whether there were any improper or illegal acts by investigative authorities, and if such acts are found, regardless of rank or position, strict punishment will be imposed in accordance with the principle of zero tolerance."She continued by saying, "Through a full review of all missing persons cases, we will address institutional shortcomings in the field, improve the system, and correct the missing persons investigation system." She added, "I feel an unlimited sense of responsibility for this incident."

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook is responding to questions from lawmakers at the full session of the Budget and Account Settlement Special Committee held at the National Assembly on the 24th. Photo by Yonhap News.

On the same day, Prime Minister Han also instructed the National Police Agency to rigorously conduct a full-scale review of missing persons cases, and if any cases of improper or illegal handling are discovered, to take strict measures to uphold discipline. She further urged the police to use this situation as an opportunity for deep reflection and reform, including separating personnel responsible for case handling and case closure, so as to correct the management system.

During a session of the National Assembly's Special Committee on Budget and Accounts on the same day, when independent lawmaker Han Donghoon pointed out that "this incident is directly linked to the abolition of supplementary investigation powers by the prosecution," Prime Minister Han replied, "Supplementary investigation powers are still in place," and emphasized that "the process needs to be changed first." In response to Assemblyman Han's question about whether a system of checks and balances is necessary, she countered by saying, "The discussion about supplementary investigation powers arose because there were also issues with the prosecution."

According to the police, Miran Jang, age 37, left her home in Hallim-eup, Jeju City at 10:15 p.m. on May 12, taking only her mobile phone, and subsequently lost contact. Her family reported her missing three days later, on the 15th; however, officer A, who was on duty in the Missing Persons Team of Jeju Seobu Police Station, arbitrarily closed the case as a false report. At 10:46 a.m. on the day of this article, the police, while conducting a joint search near Hallim-eup, Jeju City, discovered a body believed to be Ms. Jang and are currently conducting forensic tests to confirm her identity.

At that time, officer A closed the case without verifying Ms. Jang's safety. The officer reported that contact had been made, but there was no evidence found in call records. Officer A also deleted Ms. Jang’s records from the missing person profiling system management list.

The Jeju Provincial Police Agency arrested officer A on August 22 on charges of dereliction of duty, falsification and use of official electronic records, and obstruction of official duty through fraudulent means. However, the arrest validity review filed by officer A was granted by the Jeju District Court on the same day on the grounds that the requirements for an emergency arrest were not met, and the officer was released. Nonetheless, the police have filed a request for an arrest warrant against the officer.

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