Four people reported missing have been found dead on Jeju Island over a three-day period, as authorities investigate allegations that a police officer falsely closed missing-person cases without properly following up on them.
The developments have sparked growing concerns over the handling of missing-person reports on the South Korean island, particularly after one of the victims was found more than three months after she disappeared. Police are now reviewing hundreds of cases handled by the officer at the centre of the investigation.
Four bodies discovered between Aug. 22 and 24
The first of the four victims was a man in his 60s who had been reported missing on Jul. 2. His body was discovered in Songdang-ri, Gujwa-eup, Jeju City, on Aug. 22, about 51 days after his disappearance was reported.
A second body, believed to belong to a man in his 70s, was found in waters near Sinheung-ri in Jocheon-eup at around 3pm on Aug. 23. A person fishing in the area discovered the body and alerted authorities. The Jeju Coast Guard later confirmed that the man had been reported missing the previous day.
On the morning of Aug. 24, another missing person was found dead near a valley in Aewol-eup at around 9:35am. About an hour later, at 10:46am, authorities discovered the body of 37-year-old Jang Mi-ran, who had been missing since May.
Jang’s body was found at a palm farm close to the accommodation where she had been staying. Her remains were discovered around 104 days after she disappeared. An autopsy subsequently confirmed her identity.
Police officer accused of falsely closing cases
Jang’s case has become the focus of a wider investigation after police accused the officer handling her disappearance, Sergeant Boo, of improperly closing the missing-person report.
According to South Korean reports, Boo allegedly entered false information into the police system and closed Jang’s case roughly two and a half hours after the initial report was filed. The case was reportedly recorded as involving a traffic accident casualty, despite there being no evidence that she had been involved in such an accident.
Jang’s family later filed another missing-person report in July, prompting police to resume the search. Investigators eventually located her body close to the accommodation where she had been staying.
The investigation has also uncovered allegations involving the earlier disappearance of the man in his 60s whose body was found on Aug. 22.
Family told missing man was safe
The man’s family had reported that he left home and became uncontactable. He had reportedly told his child that he had failed in business and had significant debt before leaving.
However, Sergeant Boo allegedly told the family that the man had been contacted and was safe, but did not want his location disclosed. The missing-person case was subsequently closed.
The family reportedly believed the police’s account and waited for him to return. His body was eventually discovered more than seven weeks after the original report. The case has since raised questions over whether the officer deliberately provided false information to close the investigation.
Police reviewing 298 missing-person cases
Authorities have now expanded the investigation considerably.
Police said Boo had handled and closed 298 missing-person cases during his approximately 17 months working with the missing-persons team at Jeju Seobu Police Station. Investigators are conducting a comprehensive review to determine whether other cases were also improperly or falsely closed.
Four officers in the chain of command at Jeju Seobu Police Station have also been removed from their duties pending the investigation. They include the former and current station chiefs, the head of the criminal affairs division and the leader of the missing-persons team.
Boo has faced allegations including dereliction of duty, forgery and the use of false official electronic records, as well as obstruction of official duties through deception. A court hearing concerning his detention was held as the investigation widened.
The police have also decided to introduce additional oversight for missing-person cases, including requiring supervisory approval before an officer can close a case independently.
With four missing people found dead within just three days, authorities are now under pressure to establish whether any of the deaths could have been prevented through a faster or more thorough police response, while determining whether other families may have been given inaccurate information about missing relatives.