Following a recent series of missing persons and death cases in Jeju, unverified claims continue to spread rapidly online.
A video titled "The Real Security Situation in Jeju as Told by a Local" was uploaded to a YouTube channel with about 70,000 subscribers.
In the video, the YouTuber shared a story told by an acquaintance, saying, "After drinking late at night, the person took a taxi and fell asleep, but when they woke up after some time, they were in the middle of a reed field." The YouTuber added, "The car was parked, the taxi driver was outside talking to someone on the phone, and when looking around, nothing but reeds could be seen."
The YouTuber further stated that the woman managed to get out from the back seat, escaped through the reed field while the driver was on the phone, and later reported the incident to the police.
The YouTuber also mentioned an incident that allegedly took place at a public restroom near Jeju City Hall.
According to the claim, "A man suddenly jumped out from the next stall in a women's public restroom near Jeju City Hall and tried to strangle a woman with a smartphone charger cable. When the woman screamed, a young man who was in the men's restroom rushed in, and the culprit was caught."
The YouTuber explained, "Following that incident, safety lighting and emergency bells were installed outside the city hall public restroom."
The YouTuber also claimed that the "visa-free" entry system, which allows foreigners to tour Jeju Island without a traditional Korean visa, is being exploited for crimes, citing examples such as a group of foreign nationals robbing a jewelry store and fleeing the country on the first flight out at dawn.
Anxiety regarding public safety in Jeju appears to be growing, and concerns are rising as rumors that have not been clearly verified are spreading.
While safety inspections and reinforced security are necessary across the Jeju region, critics point out that the online reproduction of sensational tips could create unnecessary fear and conflict among local residents and tourists.
Amid controversies over the police's handling of the recent missing person cases and the spread of various rumors online, the Jeju provincial government is pushing for a comprehensive tourism safety network plan in cooperation with the Jeju Tourism Association as a follow-up measure to the "Safe Jeju" countermeasures announced on August 27.
(Produced by SBS Digital News | Reported by Lee Hyeon-yeong, Video by IYOO, Graphics by Yook Do-hyun)
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