Jeju police officer arrested for fabricating missing person case closures; one victim found dead

A police officer in Jeju has been arrested for fabricating the closure of two missing person cases, potentially costing precious time in rescue efforts. The officer, identified as Officer Bu, allegedly closed the case of Jang Mi-ran, 37, just two and a half hours after her missing person report was filed in May, claiming he had contacted her and she was safe.

However, an investigation revealed that no such contact was made, and police procedures requiring face-to-face confirmation were ignored. In a separate instance, Officer Bu also falsely reported contact with another missing person, a man in his 60s, before closing his case without verification. This man was later found dead, with suspicions that he could have been saved if the case hadn't been prematurely closed.

Jang Mi-ran remains missing after three months, and her family is distraught, citing the officer's actions as the reason for the immediate suspension of search efforts and the subsequent loss of crucial CCTV footage. The incident has prompted a wider investigation into Officer Bu's past cases and a national review of how missing person reports are handled, highlighting the urgent need for systemic improvements to prevent similar tragedies.