Cause of Death Unclear for Missing Jeju Woman as Police Keep All Possibilities Open

Hong Seok-ki, head of South Korea’s National Office of Investigation, said investigators could not determine the cause of death of a woman in her 30s who disappeared in Jeju because the body had decomposed. He said police were keeping “all possibilities open” as the investigation continued.

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The command and supervision of managers, including myself, did not work properly.

Speaking at a regular briefing in Seoul on Aug. 31, Hong also accepted responsibility for supervisory failures connected to the case. He said the problems involved not only misconduct by some officers, but also managers, including himself, whose command and oversight “did not work properly.”

Hong vowed to hold accountable investigators who neglected or misused their investigative powers, as well as managers who failed to supervise them. He said police felt a heavy responsibility as the organization approached greater independence and would quickly pursue improvements in investigative capacity and internal culture. He also asked the public to remember that most officers continue to work according to law and principle despite difficult conditions.

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I will sternly hold accountable investigators who neglected or abused the investigative authority entrusted to them by the public, and managers who failed to properly command and supervise them.

Police have begun a nationwide review of 310,000 missing-person cases closed during the past three years. Hong said about 15,100 cases were being checked as of Aug. 28, after he ordered the review on Aug. 24. No major problems had yet been reported, he said, while cases handled without face-to-face contact were being examined first. The police are also considering staffing missing-person teams with multiple officers over the longer term.

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The cause of death is unclear because of decomposition.

No police officer other than one identified as Lieutenant Bu has been formally booked in connection with the case involving Jang Yoon-ki. However, an internal inspection covers current and former police station chiefs, a criminal affairs chief, the missing-person team leader and officers who responded at the scene. Police are adding managerial approval functions to their missing-person profiling system. The results of a full review of 298 missing-person reports handled by Lieutenant Bu are due to be presented by Jeju police.

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We are investigating with all possibilities open.