Jeju Police Officer Falsely Closed Missing Persons Cases Due to Burden of Unresolved Work

The Jeju police officer who falsely closed missing person reports did so out of a burden that the workload would increase if the missing person cases were not resolved, an investigation revealed.

During an official briefing held prior to forwarding Police Officer Bu to the prosecutors' office today (Sept. 1), the Jeju Provincial Police Agency announced, "Officer Bu stated to the effect that he thought casually of it since the missing person was a normal adult, and that he falsely closed the case due to the burden of handing over cases, as there are many things to take care of when a case remains unresolved."

Five profilers (psychological analysts) deployed during the investigation into Officer Bu also cited "the evasive motive stemming from laxness, amid fatigue from accumulated work burdens and heavy responsibilities," as the primary background for Officer Bu's crime.

They further analyzed that "Officer Bu's evasive coping mechanism and irresponsible attitude combined to lead to the crime of false closure."

Officer Bu is accused of lying to the reporter of the missing person case by claiming that he had "made contact" with a woman in her 30s surnamed Jang who was reported missing last May, closing the case on his own authority, and deleting Jang's data from the management list of the missing persons profiling system.

He is also suspected of falsely closing the missing person case of a man in his 60s, identified as A, who was reported missing on July 2 of this year, using a method similar to the one used in Jang's case.

While searching for Jang, police became aware of Officer Bu's crimes, conducted a pre-booking investigation on August 11, and formally booked him on August 14.

Police discovered the body of Mr. A at a location in Jeju on the morning of August 22, and subsequently recovered a body presumed to be Jang in Hallim-eup, Jeju City, on the morning of August 24.

The Jeju District Court issued an arrest warrant on August 25 for Officer Bu, who faces charges including dereliction of duty, falsification and uttering of official electronic records, and obstruction of official duties by fraudulent means.

Officer Bu initially claimed that he had "contacted the missing persons," but admitted that it was a lie once the police investigation began.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.