Jeju police warn of criminal charges for mocking, prank calls related to missing woman

Jeju police have issued a stern warning against further secondary victimization of the family of Jang Mi-ran, a 30-year-old woman who has been missing for an extended period. The cybercrime investigation unit at Jeju Provincial Police Agency stated on August 21st that they will adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards prank calls to the family's tip line, the dissemination of false information about Jang online, and any posts that mock or disparage her.

Jang was last seen leaving her home in Hallim-eup, Jeju City, on the night of May 12th and has been out of contact since. Her boyfriend reported her missing on May 15th, but a police officer allegedly closed the case within three hours, falsely reporting that contact had been made with Jang. The family reopened the missing person report on July 17th, initiating a renewed search, but her whereabouts remain unknown. Records show Jang has had no phone contact with anyone, including police, since her disappearance, and there is no indication she left the island.

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Prank calls to the missing person's family, the spread of false information about the missing person on some online communities, and posts mocking or disparaging the missing person have been confirmed.

In response to the escalating secondary victimization, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has directed the National Police Agency to "do its best in the search" and "respond strictly to secondary victimization according to law and principle." A dedicated team of five investigators has been formed within the Jeju Provincial Police Agency's secondary victimization investigation unit, and they will collaborate with national and regional cybercrime units. Police emphasized that such acts constitute serious criminal offenses, including insult and defamation, and urged the public to refrain from causing further pain to Jang's family, who are anxiously awaiting news.

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Prank calls or the spread of fake news targeting missing persons and their families on the internet and social media are serious secondary victimization crimes that are subject to criminal punishment, including insult and defamation.