Jeju Provincial Police Agency Chief Ko Pyeong-ki has bowed his head in apology, 13 days after formal investigations began into police officers involved in falsely closing a missing persons case.

During his opening remarks at a command meeting of the Jeju Provincial Police Agency this morning (the 27th), Chief Ko stated, "I bow my head and apologize to the two deceased individuals who ultimately failed to return to the arms of their families, and to the bereaved families who are experiencing an indescribable depth of sorrow."

Chief Ko said, "The police, who should be responsible for the lives and safety of the citizens, not only failed in that duty, but also inflicted indelible wounds on the families through false words and actions," adding, "As the chief responsible for Jeju's public safety, I feel a heavy sense of responsibility."

"I also bow my head and offer a deep apology to the residents and citizens who must have felt great disappointment and anxiety," Chief Ko emphasized, adding, "We will thoroughly investigate this incident so that not a single suspicion remains, and we will disclose the results without concealing anything."

He continued, "We will conduct a comprehensive reinvestigation of all missing persons cases in the Jeju region to check for any other faults," promising, "We will examine the overall state of missing persons handling systems, procedures, and staffing structures, and establish double and triple safety measures to ensure that no cases are handled carelessly under any circumstances."

(Photo: Yonhap News)