Nationwide Full Inspection Launched Into Closed Missing Persons Cases

[Anchor]

Prime Minister Han Sung-sook has ordered measures to prevent a recurrence following a case in Jeju where a police officer repeatedly attempted to falsely cover up missing persons cases. In response, the police have launched a full-scale nationwide inspection to determine if other missing persons cases were closed under similar circumstances.

Reporter An Huijae has the details.

[Reporter]

Expressing strong regret toward the police yesterday (August 23), Prime Minister Han Sung-sook instructed authorities to thoroughly verify whether there were any instances of missing persons cases being falsely closed, similar to the case involving the Jeju police officer.

With shoddy investigations coming under fire following the disciplinary misconduct in the Jang Yoon-ki case and now within the realm of missing persons cases, the police have been placed on high alert.

National Office of Investigation Chief Hong Seok-ki visited the Jeju Provincial Police Agency yesterday, stating, "I offer my sincere apologies to the public," while the police initiated a nationwide full inspection across all missing persons cases to check for signs of false closures.

Although efforts are also underway to improve computer systems, limitations persist.

It was revealed that the police officer belonging to the Jeju Provincial Police Agency, who was arrested on charges of shoddy investigation, had previously completely deleted the information of individuals such as Jang Mi-ran from the internal Missing Persons Profiling System. In response, the police plan to establish a dual verification process requiring approval from a team leader-level or higher manager for case closures. However, critics point out that it remains difficult to verify the authenticity of reports if front-line personnel submit false accounts.

[Kim Young-sik / Professor of Police Administration, Soonchunhyang University : "We have no choice but to trust the reports. Because the person in charge has a high degree of discretion, things often end with just a discussion over a written report. More active management is necessary."]

The police have belatedly gone all-out in domestic and international search operations, including requesting an Interpol wanted notice for Jang.

While some argue that the law should be amended to allow location tracking for adults without their consent—similar to procedures for missing children—counterarguments remain substantial, noting the potential for abuse and the need to consider factors such as voluntary departures from home.

(Video Taken by: Shin Dong-hwan | Video Edited by: Choi Jin-hwa | Design: Lee Jong-jung)

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