S. Korea’s Lee calls for greater police accountability after Jeju missing-person cases

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has called for increased police accountability following a series of missing-person cases on Jeju island, where public outrage has arisen over the handling of the cases. During a cabinet meeting, President Lee emphasized that as police wield significant power, the public must question whether they can bear this responsibility.

Four individuals reported missing on Jeju were found dead within three days, but the cases were unrelated. Two of these cases involved the alleged premature closure of the investigations by the same officer, leading to the officer's detention on suspicion of dereliction of duty, falsifying official records, and obstructing official duties.

The officer has denied the charges, stating he contacted the missing individuals, according to a police official. The police have promised to review 298 missing-person reports handled by the officer and have temporarily halted case closures until the officer's handling undergoes a review. The controversy has sparked safety concerns and criticism on social media, with the police committing to institutional improvements to prevent such incidents from recurring.