South Korea's Lee calls for greater police accountability after Jeju missing-person cases

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   Jeju Police Face Criticism Over Retracted Evidence in Jang Mi-ran Death

   South Korean police are under scrutiny after retracting evidence regarding a hanging in the death of Jang Mi-ran. Jang, 37, was found dead on a palm plantation 104 days after disappearing. The investigation is now re-examining whether the tree's structure would have allowed a rope to be secured. This follows a broader scandal where a police officer falsely informed a partner that a missing woman was safe. The ruling Democratic Party maintains that these failures require police reform rather than restoring powers to prosecutors.

   Why it matters

   President Lee Jae Myung previously demanded systemic accountability after an officer allegedly closed missing-person cases without verification. This led to the review of 310,000 cases nationwide. The Jeju incident specifically triggered the reopening of 298 cases handled by the detained officer.

   What is confirmed

   • Jang Mi-ran was 37 years old.
   • Jang Mi-ran's body was found on a palm plantation 104 days after she disappeared.
   • The ruling Democratic Party opposes expanding prosecutors' powers in response to the Jeju police failures.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Investigators are questioning if the structure of the tree made it difficult to secure a rope.

   What to watch next

   • Results of the re-examination of the palm farm tree structure
   • Legal proceedings against the officer detained for closing cases without verification
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. www.onet.pl — Policjant powiedział partnerowi, że kobieta jest cała i zdrowa. Jej ciało znaleziono po 104 dniach
   2. en.sedaily.com — Ruling Party Rejects Calls to Restore Prosecutors' Powers After Jeju Case
   3. www.straitstimes.com — Jeju police re-examining circumstances around death of woman in palm farm
   4. www.straitstimes.com — S. Korean police under fire after backtracking on hanging evidence in missing woman’s death in Jeju
   confidence 90%
2. 3d ago

   South Korea expands missing persons review after Jeju police scandal

   South Korean authorities are reviewing 310,000 missing persons cases following a scandal involving the mishandling of disappearances on Jeju island. The Jeju police chief has apologized and promised a transparent investigation after an officer was detained for allegedly closing cases without verification. This officer reportedly cleared two people who were later found dead, prompting the reopening of 298 cases he handled. The scandal has deepened public distrust and led President Lee Jae Myung to demand systemic police reform and greater accountability.

   Why it matters

   The crisis began when four bodies were discovered on Jeju island, revealing that officers had prematurely closed missing-person files. This failure has sparked a national debate on how the state handles missing adults, highlighted by the Jang Mi-ran case.

   What is confirmed

   • The Jeju police chief apologized for mishandled missing person cases and pledged a transparent investigation.
   • An officer was detained for allegedly closing missing person cases without verification.
   • Authorities are reviewing 298 cases handled by the detained officer.
   • Two people cleared by the officer were later found dead.
   • South Korea is reviewing 310,000 missing persons cases.

   Still unconfirmed

   • DNA of the officer suspected of falsely closing cases was found in a women's restroom.
   • Police officers within the force are calling for stricter discipline and a systematic overhaul due to lack of authority and staffing.

   What to watch next

   • Findings from the review of 310,000 missing persons cases.
   • Results of the police reform task force led by Representative Kim Nam-hee.
   • Legal proceedings against the detained officer regarding the falsification of documents.
   Sources used for this update (9)

   1. The Telegraph — The Korean holiday island where bodies keep appearing
   2. The Korea Herald — Jang Mi-ran case leaves Korea asking how to handle missing adults
   3. www.straitstimes.com — Jeju police chief apologises over mishandled missing person cases
   4. Newsday — South Korean police scandal over missing-person cases deepens public distrust
   5. Yahoo — South Korea reviews 310,000 missing persons cases after police scandal
   6. Korea JoongAng Daily — DNA of officer suspected of falsely closing missing persons cases found in women's restroom
   7. Korea JoongAng Daily — Too few officers, too little authority: Voices within police force call for stricter discipline, systematic overhaul
   8. apnews.com — South Korean police scandal over missing person cases deepens public distrust
   9. www.ibtimes.co.uk — 298 Missing Cases Reopened After Jeju Cop Allegedly Cleared 2 People Later Found Dead
   confidence 90%
3. 4d ago

   President Lee Demands Police Accountability Following Jeju Missing-Person Scandal

   South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has called for increased police accountability and reform after the discovery of four bodies on Jeju island. The move follows public outrage over police mishandling of missing-person cases, including instances where officers prematurely closed files. In response, the Democratic Party appointed Representative Kim Nam-hee to lead a police reform task force, while President Lee requested the Prime Minister take the lead in the reform drive. Authorities have launched a probe into the mishandling of 298 missing persons cases.

   Why it matters

   The scandal has raised questions regarding the police's readiness to hold sole investigative power. This occurs amid broader political tensions regarding the abolition of the prosecution office and the scope of prosecutors' supplementary investigation powers.

   What is confirmed

   • Four bodies were found on Jeju island during missing-person searches.
   • President Lee Jae Myung called for greater police accountability due to public outrage over Jeju missing-person cases.
   • Four Jeju police officers were placed on administrative leave for prematurely closing a missing person case.
   • The Democratic Party named Representative Kim Nam-hee to lead a police reform task force.
   • President Lee asked the Prime Minister to lead the police reform drive.

   Still unconfirmed

   • South Korean police received 70,814 reports of missing adults last year.

   What to watch next

   • Findings from the probe into the 298 mishandled missing persons cases.
   • Legislative actions taken by the police reform task force led by Rep. Kim Nam-hee.
   • The Prime Minister's specific plan for the police reform drive.
   Sources used for this update (17)

   1. Reuters — South Korea's Lee calls for greater police accountability after Jeju missing-person cases
   2. The Korea Herald — Lee asks PM to take lead in police reform drive
   3. 매일경제 — About a month before the abolition of the prosecution office, opposition parties launched an offensi..
   4. 헤럴드경제 — Writer Heo Ji-woong condemns abolitionists of prosecutors' supplementary investigation powers
   5. Seoul Economic Daily — Democratic Party Names Rep. Kim Nam-hee to Lead Police Reform Task Force
   6. 조선일보 — Sergeant Falsely Closes Missing Person Case as Traffic Death
   7. Korea JoongAng Daily — Fourth missing person found dead on Jeju in three days
   8. Yonhap News Agency — Discovered body confirmed to be of woman missing in Jeju: police
   9. The Korea Times — [ANALYSIS] Jeju missing person cases raise doubts over police readiness for sole investigative power
   10. BBC — South Korea police find four bodies on Jeju island as missing persons scandal deepens
   11. Yonhap News Agency — 4 Jeju police officers placed on administrative leave over premature closure of missing person case
   12. Korea JoongAng Daily — Some police officers can't fathom why a colleague would falsify 200 missing persons cases and lie
   confidence 90%