Body found after police allegedly botched missing person case in Jeju

A body presumed to be that of Jang Mi-ran, who went missing in Jeju, South Korea, in May, was discovered on August 24. The discovery comes 101 days after her disappearance and has intensified criticism of the police for allegedly closing her missing person case prematurely based on a false report.

Jang, 37, was last seen leaving her residence in Jeju on May 12. Her boyfriend filed a missing person report three days later. However, a police officer from the Jeju Western Police Station allegedly closed the case within 2.5 hours, falsely reporting that he had contacted Jang. The body was found in a palm farm approximately 400 meters from her long-term lodging.

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Thorough fact-finding and a review of the entire case closure and supervisory system.

Family members, who had been waiting for Jang's return and gathering information through social media, prompted the police to launch a large-scale search on August 20. Four days later, the body was found. Separately, another missing person, a man in his 60s, who the same officer had claimed was safe, was found dead on August 22.

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Expressing deep regret and conveying his condolences.

Adding to the controversy, a court on August 24 granted bail to the police officer, who had been arrested on charges of dereliction of duty. The Jeju District Prosecutors' Office, however, is seeking an arrest warrant for him. The police officer had reportedly handled 298 missing person cases since March of the previous year.

In response to the incident, President Lee Jae-myung has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the police's handling of the case, including the closure process and supervisory chain. He expressed deep regret and instructed the preparation of institutional and fundamental reform measures for the police.

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Prepare institutional and fundamental reform measures, as well as the police's own reform plans.