Police: How Many Were Overlooked... Four Missing Persons' Bodies Found in Jeju Over Three Days

Only Two Bodies Linked to Falsely Closed Missing Person Cases

From a Man in His 60s to Jang Miran, Both Found Dead

A woman in her 30s who went missing in Jeju was found dead after the police officer in charge falsely closed her missing person case. In just three days, four bodies reported as missing persons were found one after another in the Jeju area. There is mounting criticism not only over the police's inadequate initial response, but also over the fact that the system allowed case workers to arbitrarily close cases.

According to the Jeju Metropolitan Police Agency, at 10:46 a.m. on August 24, an officer discovered a body presumed to be that of Jang Miran (age 37) during a joint search near Hallim-eup, Jeju City. Identity and cause of death are currently being determined through forensic examination.

How Many Missing Persons Were Overlooked? Four Bodies Found in Three Days

On the 24th, the body of Jang Miran, who had been missing for several months, was found in Hallim-eup, Jeju City. The police are controlling access to the palm tree farm in Suwon-ri where the body was discovered. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the police, Jang left her home in Hallim-eup, Jeju City, carrying only her mobile phone at 10:15 p.m. on May 12, after which all contact was lost. Her family filed a missing person report three days later on May 15, but at the time, Sergeant A, who was the duty officer on the missing person team at Jeju Western Police Station, closed the case within two hours without confirming Jang's safety. Although he reported that there had been contact, there is no record of any communication between the two.

It has been revealed that Sergeant A also falsely closed the missing person case of Mr. B, a man in his 60s, reported missing on July 2, using a method similar to Jang's case. After media reports on Jang's case, B's family filed another report with the police on August 21, and on August 22, officers discovered B dead in Gujwa-eup, Jeju City.

At 9:35 a.m. on the same day, Mr. C, who had also been reported missing, was found dead near a stream in Aewol-eup, Jeju City. C's family had first reported him missing on August 12, and the body was found during the police search. However, the police noted that this case is unrelated to Sergeant A.

At 3:04 a.m. the previous day, a fishing enthusiast discovered the body of Mr. D, a man in his 70s, at sea in Jocheon-eup, Jeju City. The Jeju Coast Guard, having received the 119 emergency report, confirmed that D had been reported missing to the Jeju Eastern Police Station on August 22, one day prior, and is now investigating the precise cause and circumstances of death.

The Police Arbitrarily Closed Reports but Called the Arrest 'Unlawful'

On the 24th, the body of Jang Miran, who had been missing for several months, was found in Hallim-eup, Jeju City. The police are restricting access to the palm tree farm in Suwon-ri where the body was discovered. Photo by Yonhap News.

Investigations revealed that Sergeant A closed the missing person report for Jang within two hours without checking on her safety, and also deleted related records from the missing person profiling system.

The Jeju Metropolitan Police Agency urgently arrested Sergeant A on charges of dereliction of duty, falsification and use of official electronic documents, and obstruction of official duties by deception on August 22. However, on the day of his arrest, the Jeju District Court granted his request for a detention review, ruling that the requirements for emergency detention had not been met and releasing him. Police have now applied for a formal arrest warrant.

Meanwhile, on this day, the National Investigation Headquarters of the Korean National Police Agency issued a notice to all police stations nationwide to 'strengthen investigations into missing person cases.' Under these new measures, the officer in charge must report in writing to the head of the criminal affairs division after deleting a missing person record in the profiling system, including the reason for removal and the outcome. The police agency is also working to improve the profiling system so that, when the officer requests the closure of a missing person case, a manager reviews the input before granting final approval.

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