'Safety Alert' Raised on Jeju Island After 4 Bodies Found in 3 Days as 4 Officers Put on Leave

Jeju Island, South Korea's premier volcanic paradise, is facing intense scrutiny after four bodies were discovered within three days. The discoveries have unsettled residents and visitors alike, raising questions about police handling of missing person cases.

The most high-profile case involved 37-year-old Jang Mi-Ran, whose body was found on Monday after she had been missing for more than 100 days. During the search for Jang, three more bodies were discovered, including that of a man in his 60s, who had been missing for 51 days. Details were sparse on the two other bodies but earlier reports suggest they were male.

Viral Warning on Jeju Island

A viral 'safety alert' was issued on Jeju Island following reports that multiple bodies were found within three days. However, there is no official warning from the government.

Broadcaster Hong Hye-gul, who lives on the island, shared that people must be careful while walking around Jeju. 'Jeju is truly a beautiful place, but it should never be taken lightly. When cycling through every corner, you often pass secluded paths with no one around, even without venturing deep into Hallasan,' he said.

'I don't recommend walking alone, even during daylight or even on paved roads. This applies not only to women but also to physically strong men,' added Hong, who said that the advice comes from someone who has lived on the island for seven years.

Still, there were others who criticised the warning as it could create unnecessary panic among residents and tourists of Jeju Island, which is a known tourist destination. Some people who claimed to have recently been on Jeju Island, shared that locals have warned them against loitering.

'We were in Jeju in May & we stayed in a villa complex that was quite isolated. During check-in, the landlord kept repeating that we shouldn't loiter outside the premises & to always drive out,' one social media user said.

Another shared: 'Something to be aware of if you're traveling to Jeju. After I went I said I wouldn't go back unless I rented a car. It is SO dark at night, barely any street lights off the main coastal road.'

Speculation online has escalated to fears of a serial killer on the loose. However, authorities have stressed that there is no established link among the four deaths. The only confirmed connection is that Jang's case and that of the man in his 60s were both closed by the same police officer, who has since been arrested. Charges of dereliction of duty, fabrication and misuse of official electronic records are being prepared.​​

Senior Officers Put on Leave

The National Police Agency (NPA) has ordered four senior officers at Jeju Seobu Police Station on administrative leave following the missing-persons scandal. The sanctioned officers were the current and former station chiefs and two senior investigators.

Investigations revealed that the arrested police officer handled nearly 300 missing-persons cases in 17 months. Around 200 were considered closed, including Jang's case. The police officer reportedly told Jang's boyfriend that the missing person had been contacted but did not want to reconnect with family and friends.

The NPA has ordered the review of all cases handled by the officer.