A growing missing-person scandal on South Korea’s Jeju Island has sparked public outrage after four people who had previously been reported missing were found dead, prompting authorities to launch a broader review of missing-person investigations and examine allegations of serious police misconduct.
The controversy intensified after the body of 37-year-old Jang Mi-ran, who had been reported missing several months earlier, was discovered on August 24 in a forest on Jeju. Police said the body was found roughly one kilometer from the accommodation where she had stayed before disappearing. An autopsy was planned to establish the precise cause of death.
The discovery came after authorities began examining the handling of Jang’s disappearance. A police officer, identified by his surname Bu, is accused of prematurely closing her missing-person case without properly confirming that she was safe. Investigators allege that he falsely claimed to have spoken with her and falsified records connected to the case. Bu has denied the allegations.
A second case involving a man in his 60s has also come under scrutiny. He was reported missing in July and was later found dead on August 22, according to reports. Authorities are examining whether the same officer improperly handled that case as well.
The scandal widened after four missing people were found dead on Jeju within a matter of days, raising questions about whether other disappearances may have been inadequately investigated. Authorities have emphasized that the circumstances of the deaths are not necessarily connected and that investigations remain ongoing.
Jeju Provincial Police Chief Ko Pyeong-ki issued a public apology on August 27, expressing responsibility for the failures surrounding the two cases and promising a comprehensive reinvestigation of missing-person cases on the island. He also pledged additional safeguards designed to prevent similar failures in the future.
The issue has now reached the national level. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has called for greater police accountability, while Prime Minister Han Seong-sook has demanded changes to the way missing-person investigations are conducted and a broader overhaul of police organizational practices.
Authorities are also reviewing missing-person cases handled by the officer at the center of the investigation. Reports indicate that 298 cases handled by him are being examined, with a number receiving closer scrutiny for potential misconduct.
The revelations have caused significant concern among residents and visitors on Jeju, a popular South Korean holiday destination known for its beaches, volcanic landscapes and tourism industry. Officials have stressed that the cases under investigation do not establish that Jeju is generally unsafe, but the controversy has nevertheless raised serious questions about public safety and confidence in local law enforcement.
For families whose relatives remain missing, the developments have created renewed anxiety while also highlighting the importance of accurate investigations and proper follow-up when someone disappears.
Authorities say the review is continuing, and additional information could emerge as investigators examine case files, police records and the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The Jeju missing-person investigation remains active, and the number and status of cases under review could change as authorities continue their work.
