Fourth Body Found in 48 Hours on Jeju Island Fuels Fears Over South Korea's Missing Persons Crisis

South Korean authorities have discovered a fourth body in 48 hours on Jeju Island, triggering nationwide audits of missing persons cases and a presidential call for police reform. Among the dead is 37‑year‑old Jang Mi‑ran, whose case was closed by an officer who allegedly falsified reports by claiming he had confirmed her safety.

The recovered bodies include the remains of Jang, whose case was closed by an officer who allegedly falsified reports, claiming he had confirmed her safety. The discovery of four deceased individuals on Jeju Island over a 48‑hour period has prompted nationwide police audits and a presidential call for systemic reform regarding missing persons.

Acting National Police Agency Commissioner Yoo Jae‑seong issued a public apology as commanders at the Jeju Seobu Police Station were suspended pending an internal review.

Systemic Failures in the Jeju Island Missing Persons Crisis

A local police officer, identified only by his surname Bu, was accused of fabricating contact with missing individuals to shut down investigations. Jang was reported missing by her boyfriend on 15 May.

Officer Bu allegedly told her boyfriend he had spoken with her directly and that she wished to remain hidden. Investigators later confirmed no such phone call ever took place.

Jang lay undiscovered for 104 days before search teams finally found her body on Saturday at a palm farm in Hallim‑eup.

The site was about 400 metres from her accommodation. The delayed police response meant crucial surveillance footage from the area had already been permanently deleted.

Police only began reviewing cameras 98 days after the initial report.

A similar case involved a man in his 60s who vanished in July. Officer Bu reportedly applied the same fabrication, telling relatives the man demanded strict privacy. That case was immediately closed and the man was found dead 51 days later.

Because the officer allegedly used the same justification to close multiple cases, authorities are now investigating whether other families received similar false assurances regarding their missing relatives.

Public Backlash Surrounding the Missing Persons

Public anger has intensified across social‑media platforms. Users on X have documented the timeline to counter online misinformation, noting that while four bodies were recovered in a tight timeframe, there is currently no evidence linking the deaths to a single perpetrator.

Authorities confirmed the other deceased individuals included a man in his 70s recovered at sea near Jocheon and another person found near a valley in Aewol.

The focus has turned to alleged bureaucratic failures. Current regulations under the missing person profiling system allow a single desk officer to close a file without supervisory approval.

Critics argue that classifying missing adults over the age of 18 as runaways encourages police complacency. Professor Yum Gun‑woong of U1 University noted that families often suspect foul play, yet police routinely begin their investigation from the 'opposite side of that supposition'.

Broader Police Audits Target the Missing Persons Crisis

Officer Bu handled 298 cases since joining the missing persons team. Every one of those files is now subject to an audit to uncover any further manipulation. Following the Jeju revelations, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced it would independently review approximately 92,800 reports closed in the capital since January 2024.

Seoul police chief Park Jeong‑bo stated the audit will identify any files closed without strict in‑person verification. The Jeju District Court released Officer Bu on Monday afternoon after reviewing his arrest warrant for dereliction of duty and falsifying official records, determining there was no urgent need to keep him in custody.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact causes of death for the four individuals, though early forensic examinations of Jang showed no obvious external trauma.