South Korean police scandal over missing-person cases deepens public distrust

A South Korean police officer is under investigation for allegedly falsifying documents in two missing-person cases, deepening public distrust of law enforcement. The scandal unfolded as the country prepared for a criminal justice system overhaul that would grant police more authority at the expense of prosecutors, who would lose investigative powers.

In one case, the officer, identified only by his last name, Bu, failed to verify the safety of a 37-year-old woman, Jang Mi-ran, who had gone missing over three months prior. Bu allegedly told the woman's boyfriend that he had reached her by phone, but she requested her location remain undisclosed. Tragically, Jang's body was discovered at a palm tree farm on Jeju Island, a popular tourist destination, on Monday.

Upon learning of Bu's falsifications, Jang's family posted her photos online and appealed for information about her whereabouts, leading to widespread media coverage of her case. Police admitted that the officer also closed another missing-person report without confirming the individual's safety in a separate incident.