Gyeonggi Nambu police review closed missing persons cases amid controversy

In response to growing controversy surrounding the alleged manipulation of a missing person case closure by Jeju police, the Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency has launched a comprehensive review of missing persons cases closed within its jurisdiction over the last three years. The agency began its thorough inspection on August 24, focusing on cases concluded between January 1, 2024, and July 31, 2026.

During this period, a total of 77,483 missing persons reports were filed, with 77,506 cases being closed. The number of closed cases exceeds the number of reported cases due to the inclusion of missing persons cases from previous years that were resolved within the specified timeframe. The Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency plans to meticulously examine these closed cases, with a particular emphasis on those that were resolved without direct, in-person contact with the individuals involved.

Should any deficiencies or irregularities be identified during the review, the agency stated it would order reinvestigations into those specific cases. This initiative aligns with a directive from the National Police Agency, which has instructed all provincial police agencies nationwide to conduct similar comprehensive reviews of missing persons case data from the past three years by November.

The controversy involving Jeju police has cast a shadow over the handling of missing persons investigations, prompting a nationwide re-evaluation of procedures and accountability within the police force. The Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency's review aims to ensure transparency and accuracy in closing such sensitive cases.