(LEAD) PM vows zero tolerance for mishandling of missing person cases

SEOUL, August 24 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Han Seong-sook vowed on Monday to enforce zero tolerance for mishandling missing person cases, following reports that a police officer prematurely closed cases without confirming the safety of those missing. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, she emphasized that nothing is more crucial than the lives and safety of people and promised to overhaul the missing person investigation system to prevent any loopholes that could result in unfair investigations.

She pledged to rigorously investigate potential unfair and unlawful acts by investigative agencies, holding them accountable regardless of rank, based on the principle of zero tolerance. The government will make every effort to ensure that missing person investigations are conducted strictly and fairly.

Earlier, Han directed the National Police Agency to thoroughly examine the handling of all missing person cases nationwide and pledged to reform the way police handle such cases, including separating the rights to investigate and close cases. A police officer on the southern island of Jeju was arrested for closing a missing person case without verifying the woman's safety, and the body of Jang Mi-ran, 37, was discovered more than three months after she was initially reported missing by her family.

The officer was also found to have prematurely closed another missing person case, with the man's body subsequently found. Prime Minister Han expressed her indefinite responsibility for the case, praying for the soul of Jang Mi-ran.