Jeju police suspend 4 senior officials over alleged falsification of missing person case

Jeju police have placed four senior officials at the Seobu Police Station on administrative leave as an investigation begins into allegations of improperly closing a missing person case. The disciplinary action affects current and former station chiefs, the head of the criminal investigation division, and the missing persons team leader.

The internal affairs probe was initiated after the discovery of a body believed to be that of Jang Mi-ran, 37, who had been reported missing on May 15. Her remains were found on August 24, 104 days after her disappearance, at a pineapple farm in Hallim-eup, Jeju City.

Investigators are focusing on the actions of a police officer from the Seobu Police Station's missing persons unit. This officer allegedly misled the person who reported Jang missing, falsely claiming Jang was safe and had requested not to be contacted. The officer then proceeded to close the case. This is not an isolated incident; the same officer is also under scrutiny for allegedly fabricating the closure of another missing person case involving a man in his 60s, whose body was found days earlier in Gujwa-eup.

Authorities are now re-examining all 298 missing person cases that the officer handled during his 1 year and 5 months with the missing persons team. The Jeju Provincial Police Agency stated that the investigation aims to ascertain the facts and determine accountability for the alleged misconduct.

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Both the station chief at the time the missing person report was first filed and the current station chief have been placed on administrative leave, holding them responsible for command and supervision.