Lee calls for clear accountability after police allegedly erased missing-person case and lied

President Lee Jae-myung said a police officer allegedly erased a missing-person record and lied about confirming contact with the missing person, calling for clear accountability at the top.

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The final person responsible must be held clearly accountable.

Speaking at a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office, Lee said most police officers worked diligently, but described the alleged deletion and false report in the Jeju case as serious failures. He said the final person responsible must be identified clearly.

Lee also instructed the government to include missing-person cases in systems that manage life-and-death issues, alongside categories such as accidental deaths, workplace accidents, suicides and deaths in isolation. He said the government aims to be one that saves lives.

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We deliberately call this a government that saves lives, but missing-person cases should also be included in the comprehensive management of life-related issues.

On next year’s budget, Lee said rising interest rates could not be avoided. He called for careful fiscal coordination to limit the hardship faced by vulnerable groups and prevent damage to the economy’s growth potential.

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The government must carefully divide its fiscal role to minimize the suffering of vulnerable groups caused by higher interest rates and prevent damage to growth potential.