Jeju missing person cases raise doubts over police readiness for sole investigative power

Distrust in the police is growing over the early closure of numerous missing person cases on Jeju Island, casting doubt on the force's capacity to fully assume control of criminal investigations. President Lee Jae Myung instructed the establishment of a government body on Tuesday to oversee reforms aimed at improving the police force, following the discovery of a body believed to be Jang Mi-ran, a 37-year-old woman who had been missing for several months.

The case generated controversy after it was revealed that a police officer had prematurely closed the investigation without verifying her whereabouts. Authorities stated on Tuesday that they had removed all four officers in the command structure at Jeju Seobu Police Station while an investigation is underway. President Lee emphasized during a Cabinet meeting that recent lapses in police discipline and negligence in public safety issues have become significant concerns, indicating that police may soon possess more authority than any other government entity, and that public apprehension is considerable.

Reports of distrust in police investigations intensified in July following the revelation that the father of Jang Yoon-gi, a suspect in a related case, had been found guilty of misconduct.