"I bow my head in apology to the two victims who could not return to their families, as well as to the bereaved families enduring profound pain," said Ko Pyeong-gi, Director of the Jeju Provincial Police Department, at a press conference on 27/8.

An officer surnamed Bu on Jeju island was previously arrested on an emergency warrant for fabricating reports that he had contacted and confirmed the safety of missing individuals, leading to the closure of two cases. However, the body of victim Jang Mi-ran, a 37-year-old woman who went missing in May, was found on 24/8. The second case involved a man in his 60s, also reported missing, whose body was discovered last weekend.

"Police are responsible for protecting the safety and lives of citizens, yet this individual ignored that duty and lied, causing permanent damage to the families," Ko said, also extending his apologies to the people of Jeju.

Jeju Police Director Ko Pyeong-gi bows in apology at a press conference on 27/8. Photo: Yonhap

The Director of the Jeju Police Department pledged to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into these incidents. He added that Jeju police would review all missing person cases previously handled on the island to determine if any errors or other misconduct occurred.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on 26/8 called for increased police accountability after four reported missing persons on Jeju island were found deceased last week, including two cases handled by officer Bu.

President Lee noted that the police could become the state agency with the most power after upcoming judicial reforms, and acknowledged public questions about whether the force is capable of bearing the corresponding responsibility.

Police conduct a forensic examination after finding the body of Jang Mi-ran at a palm farm in Jeju city on 24/8. Photo: Yonhap

The scandal in Jeju also intensified public concern over the process of handling tens of thousands of missing person reports annually in South Korea. The nation's police received 70,814 reports of missing adults last year. The number of reports has exceeded 70,000 each year since 2022, though police stated that most cases are resolved within 30 days.

Acting National Police Commissioner Yoo Jae-seong apologized to the public and pledged to prevent a recurrence of this situation. Police also issued a directive requiring officers handling missing person cases to obtain supervisory approval before closing files, pending an upgrade to the management system.

Ngoc Anh (According to Yonhap, AFP)