Police Say Workload and Neglect Drove False Closures of Jeju Missing-Person Cases

Jeju police said accumulated workload and neglect of duty led an officer to falsely close missing-person cases, including reports involving a woman in her 30s and a man in his 60s who were later found dead.

The Jeju Provincial Police Agency's anti-corruption and economic crimes investigation unit announced the findings at a briefing. Investigators said the officer viewed the missing people as ordinary adults and felt burdened by the work required to keep cases open and transfer them properly.

The officer, identified by police only by his surname Bu, belongs to the Jeju Western Police Station. He was arrested on charges including dereliction of duty, falsifying and using official electronic records, and obstructing the execution of official duties through deception.

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The suspect said he thought casually about the missing person because the person was an ordinary adult, and he falsely closed the case because he felt burdened by the work required if it remained unresolved and by handing over the case.

Bu continued to deny the allegations after his arrest, saying he had definitely spoken by phone with the missing people. Police then assigned five criminal psychology profilers, who obtained a confession and examined the alleged motive.

Police said the profiling pointed to fatigue from accumulated duties and increasing responsibility, combined with avoidant behavior and an irresponsible attitude. Bu is scheduled to be sent to the Jeju District Prosecutors' Office, while investigators review other suspected false closures among the 298 missing-person cases he handled.

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The profiling analysis indicates that a neglectful motive, amid fatigue from accumulated workload and increased responsibility, was the main background. The suspect's avoidant response and irresponsible attitude combined to lead to the false closure.