298 Missing Cases Reopened After Jeju Cop Allegedly Cleared 2 People Later Found Dead

A South Korean police officer has been detained after allegedly closing missing-person cases without confirming the individuals were safe, prompting authorities to review all 298 cases he handled over 17 months.

Officer Bu, 35, is accused of falsely recording that he had contacted missing people before closing their cases. Two people whose cases he allegedly closed, 37-year-old Jang Mi-ran and a man in his 60s, were later found dead on Jeju Island after searches resumed.

The allegations have prompted calls for greater police accountability, with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung saying responsibility must increase alongside the powers being given to police. Four senior officers at Jeju Seobu Police Station have also been removed from duty while authorities examine whether there were failures in supervision.

Officer Denies Falsely Closing Cases

Bu faces allegations including dereliction of duty, falsifying and using official electronic records, and obstructing official duties by deception. He denies the accusations and maintains that he contacted both missing people before their cases were closed, according to the Jeju Provincial Police Agency.

However, police have reportedly found no records of the alleged conversations on Bu's personal or work phones or on the devices belonging to the two missing people.

Jang was reported missing in May, and her case was later closed after Bu allegedly told her family he had spoken to her and that she did not want contact. Her family reported her missing again in Seoul on 19 July.

Her body was found at a palm farm on 24 August, about 400 metres from her accommodation and 104 days after she disappeared. Police said surveillance footage near her accommodation had already been deleted when investigators resumed examining the case.

The second case involved a man in his 60s whose family was also allegedly told Bu had contacted him before the case was closed. His body was found on 22 August after police resumed the search. Records disclosed by Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Sang-sik showed that his wife had warned police about substantial business debts and comments he had made to their children that raised concerns about his safety.

Police Review 298 Cases

Authorities are reviewing all 298 missing-person reports handled and closed by Bu to determine whether any were improperly terminated, with about 10 reportedly receiving closer scrutiny.

The allegations have also prompted reviews elsewhere in South Korea. Seoul police are examining about 92,800 missing-person reports filed and closed in the capital since January 2024, while Busan police are reviewing 25,605 reports from January 2024 to July 2026.

The scrutiny follows the deaths of four people reported missing on Jeju over three days. Authorities have said the cases were unrelated, although two involved cases allegedly closed by Bu.

Police Introduce Tighter Checks

The National Police Agency has ordered tighter supervisory checks on missing-person cases. Acting Commissioner Yoo Jae-seong apologised and said closures would require senior-level approval while the force's case-management system is reviewed.

Four senior officers at Jeju Seobu Police Station have been removed from duty, including the current station chief, the chief in charge when Jang disappeared, the detective division chief and the leader of the missing-persons team.

The National Police Agency is examining whether the officers properly supervised the cases and whether there were failures in command.

The controversy comes as changes to South Korea's criminal investigation system are due to take effect in October, giving police a greater investigative role. Lee has called for stronger accountability as those powers expand.