Overview
- Police announced Tuesday that a Jeju police corporal admitted he closed missing-person files without verification and was sent to prosecutors on charges including falsifying electronic records and dereliction of duty.
- Investigators reviewed 298 cases the officer handled and identified 25 additional suspect closures, with 10 cases closed without contacting the missing people and 15 given false closure reasons.
- Two earlier closures handled by the same officer were linked to bodies found in August, which prompted the expanded probe and the officer’s detention in late August.
- Authorities have launched a dedicated prosecutors’ team, ordered national audits, placed senior local officers on administrative leave, and introduced temporary supervisor checks while further records are examined.
- The officer told police he acted from workload pressure and complacency, and officials say the case has raised questions about staffing, supervision and whether supervisor sign-off or legal changes are needed to restore public trust.