DP vows police reform over mishandling of missing-person case

Democratic Party leader Han Byung-do pledged on Tuesday that the ruling party would devise a comprehensive plan to reform the police organization and establish a trustworthy investigation system. His remarks came after a body believed to be that of missing woman Jang Mi-ran was discovered on Jeju, a southern resort island. The delayed search, marred by a police officer's premature closure of her missing-person case, had drawn significant attention.

The incident gained even more prominence as the police were set to assume greater investigative responsibilities in October, when prosecutors would lose their independent and supplementary investigative powers under reforms championed by the ruling party. Han, speaking at a party meeting at the National Assembly, vowed to "coolly reveal the police's wrongdoing and hold those responsible strictly accountable."

He urged police leadership to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the false closure of Jang's case and emphasized that a police force failing to earn the public's trust has no justification for existence. Han also pledged not to allow Jang's case to instill public anxiety and distrust in the new criminal justice system. He stressed that as police authority expanded, the police must further bolster their investigative capabilities, accountability, transparency, and democratic oversight.