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The Gangjin Elementary School Serial Disappearance Case... Shocking Contents Inside the Prime Suspect's 'Code'

Cho Ji-hyun

Published : Oct 19, 2026 7:51 PM

Video

[News Hunters]

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■ Broadcast: SBS News Hunters, Mon–Fri (18:50–19:50)
■ Anchors: Kim Jong-won, Yoon Tae-jin
■ Guests: Jung Jae-won (Producer, SBS 'Unanswered Questions'), Lee Kyung-min (Attorney) 
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Regarded as one of South Korea's "top 7 unsolved missing child cases," the Gangjin elementary school serial disappearance case involved two elementary school girls who went missing consecutively in Gangjin, South Jeolla Province, in 2000 and 2001. A man in his twenties surnamed Ma, who was pointed to as the prime suspect at the time, confessed to the crime and then recanted, eventually escaping punishment due to a lack of evidence. This unsolved case, buried for 26 years, has resurfaced because Ma was released last September after serving a total of 23 years in prison for other crimes. Through a suspicious "videotape" witnessed by his ex-wife and a bizarre "code" recorded by Ma, we take a close look at what the investigation missed.

※ More details can be found in the video.