Four missing individuals have been found deceased on South Korea’s Jeju island, prompting a significant controversy involving police misconduct and mismanagement of missing persons investigations. The discovery has intensified scrutiny of local law enforcement and triggered high-level government intervention.
The situation came to light when authorities launched a delayed search for a woman reported missing months prior, drawing criticism for the postponed investigation. Among the recovered bodies was 37-year-old Jang Mi-ran, who had disappeared in May. Her remains were located at a palm tree farm approximately 500 metres from her last known location, with indications suggesting she died by suicide. A police sergeant identified as Bu is under investigation for prematurely closing her case without verifying her whereabouts and allegedly providing false information to her family.
Another body discovered was that of a man in his 60s from Jeju City, who had been missing since 28 June. According to reports, the sergeant had closed this case as well, telling the family the man was found safe but unwilling to contact them. The man’s son expressed frustration to media outlets, noting the family had waited 51 days based on police assurances before learning of his death. It remains unclear whether the sergeant’s involvement extends to two additional bodies found in coastal areas.
In response to the scandal, four officers in the sergeant’s supervisory chain have been placed on administrative leave. On Tuesday, President Lee Jae Myung announced comprehensive police reforms. An emergency National Assembly hearing was convened on Monday, where the national police chief acknowledged systemic faults. Police are currently reviewing approximately 300 missing persons cases previously handled by the sergeant.
The incident has coincided with broader political controversy surrounding recent police reforms that transferred full investigative authority from prosecutors to police, a change intended to limit prosecutorial influence in politics. However, public opposition to this reform has intensified given longstanding concerns about police reliability and institutional accountability.
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