A police investigator on South Korea's popular Jeju Island has been detained amid an investigation into the deaths of four missing persons, whose bodies were discovered over a three-day period. The investigator, identified only by the surname Bu, is accused of falsifying records and neglecting his duties in cases where he allegedly assured relatives that the missing individuals were alive.
One of the deceased, 37-year-old Jang Mi-ran, was reported missing in May. Her body was found on Monday at a palm tree farm. According to local reports, her death is believed to be a suicide. Bu allegedly closed Jang's case without confirming her whereabouts and falsely recorded her death as a traffic accident casualty, while also telling her boyfriend he had spoken to her on the phone and she did not wish to speak to him. Jang's boyfriend's repeated attempts to report her disappearance were dismissed until he contacted a police station in Seoul.
In another case, an elderly man in his 70s, reported missing in late June, was found dead in the water off the island's northern coast. Bu reportedly closed this case, informing the family that the man was safe but did not wish to disclose his location. The man's son stated that after 51 days, his father's body was returned.
The causes of death for all four individuals have not yet been confirmed.
Bu denies the charges, asserting that he did contact the missing persons, according to police. Authorities are now reviewing all 298 cases handled by Bu, with 10 identified for potential improper closure. An arrest warrant was issued due to concerns of flight risk and evidence tampering, a detective stated.
The scandal has prompted President Lee Jae Myung to order a probe into the handling of Jang's case and has led to instructions for a reform plan for the police force. The President cited "serious concerns have emerged over a lack of discipline within the police and irresponsibility in maintaining public safety."
In response to the scrutiny, police have launched a comprehensive review of approximately 310,000 missing persons cases closed over the past three years. Jeju Island, known for its natural beauty and volcanic landscape, is a major tourist destination in South Korea. Experts suggest that the island's typically low crime rate may contribute to missing persons cases not being treated with sufficient urgency, leading officers to assume most cases will be resolved quickly.