Jeju police chief apologizes over mishandled missing person cases

Jeju's Police Commissioner Ko Pyeong-gi issued a public apology on August 27th, expressing deep remorse following the mishandling of two missing person cases. The apologies were directed towards the deceased individuals who never returned to their families and the grieving families suffering immense pain.

The controversy centers around a police officer, identified by the surname Bu, who is accused of closing the case of Jang Mi-ran, a 37-year-old woman who disappeared in May. Bu allegedly claimed to have spoken with Ms. Jang before closing her case, only for her body to be discovered on August 24th. A similar accusation involves the case of a man in his 60s, whose body was found on August 22nd after his missing person case was allegedly closed using the same deceptive method.

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I bow my head in apology to the two deceased people who never made it back to their families, and to the bereaved families suffering grief beyond description.

Commissioner Ko acknowledged the grave breach of duty, stating, "A police officer has a responsibility to protect the safety and lives of the people, yet he disregarded that duty and lied, leaving permanent scars on the families." He extended his apologies not only to the affected families but also to the residents of Jeju.

In response to the scandal, Ko pledged to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding these cases. Furthermore, the Jeju police department will undertake a comprehensive review of all missing person cases handled on the island. This review aims to identify any other instances of errors or misconduct, ensuring accountability and working to restore public trust in the police force.

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A police officer has a responsibility to protect the safety and lives of the people, yet he disregarded that duty and lied, leaving permanent scars on the families.