Family of Woman in Falsely Closed Missing-Person Case to Sue South Korean State

The family of a woman whose disappearance was falsely closed plans to sue both South Korea and the police officer accused of mishandling the case.

The woman, identified by her surname as Jang, left accommodation in Hallim-eup, Jeju City, at about 10:15 p.m. on May 12. Her body was found 104 days later, on the 24th of the month, in a palm plantation near the accommodation.

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The family had been avoiding the case because the shock was too great and they had funeral arrangements to handle, but they have decided to intervene actively from now on.

A police lieutenant at Jeju Western Police Station allegedly ended the case three days after Jang disappeared, after her boyfriend reported her missing. The officer reportedly claimed that he had spoken with Jang and that she had asked him not to disclose her location. Police arrested him on Aug. 25 on charges including dereliction of duty, falsifying and using forged official records, and obstructing official duties through deception.

Kim Min-ho, the lawyer representing Jang’s family, said the relatives had initially been too shocked and occupied with funeral arrangements to intervene. They now plan to take an active role and bring a state compensation claim naming the officer and the Republic of Korea as joint defendants. The lawyer said the precise demands would follow a legal review.

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By filing a state compensation claim, we can obtain the lieutenant’s investigation records and the case records.

The family plans to visit the palm plantation where Jang’s body was found and meet the prosecutor investigating the officer’s case. They also plan to call for his dismissal outside the Jeju Provincial Police Agency.

Kim said a state compensation lawsuit would allow the family to obtain investigative and case records. The family intends to examine them closely to determine whether the officer’s chain of command tried to reduce or conceal responsibility in handling the disappearance. If evidence of such an effort emerges, the family says it will pursue additional complaints and seek accountability from those involved.

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If there was such an attempt, we will file additional complaints against all responsible people and hold them accountable.