Police criticized for 'dismissive' handling of missing woman's case before body found

A controversy has erupted over the police's handling of the disappearance of Jang Mi-ran, a 37-year-old woman who went missing in Jeju. Her cousin filed a second missing person report in Seoul last month, two months after Jang's initial disappearance.

“

Da keun seong-in-inde geunyang gadalhan geot aniya?

According to the Nowon Police Station in Seoul, the cousin visited the station on May 19th to file the report, as Jang's whereabouts had been unknown for nearly two months. The police station reportedly registered the case at 3:50 PM. However, during the intake process, the handling officer allegedly made dismissive remarks, questioning whether Jang, being an adult, might have simply "run away" and asking why a relative, not a direct family member, was filing the report.

These alleged "discriminatory" comments have sparked public outcry. The Nowon Police Station later transferred the case to the Jeju Western Police Station at 5:03 PM. In response to the criticism, the Nowon Police Station stated that they had verified the existence of previous reports and confirmed the cousin's intention to re-report the case by speaking with Jang's direct family members.

“

Wae gudeut jikye gajokdo aninde singohareo wasshneya?

Regarding the controversial remarks, the station claimed the officer was attempting to offer comfort, suggesting that "not being found as a deceased person is fortunate." Despite the controversy, a body believed to be Jang Mi-ran was discovered on August 24th in a palm tree grove in Hallim-eup, Jeju. This discovery came 104 days after her initial disappearance on May 12th.

“

“Byeonsajaro balgyeondoiji an-eun geoseun dahaeng”