Jeju police checking officer's shift report over alleged mishandling of missing person case

The Jeju Provincial Police Agency is currently investigating a night shift report prepared by one of its officers who is suspected of mishandling a missing person case on Jeju Island, according to officials. The officer allegedly failed to record crucial information during an evening shift in May when he received a report about a woman in her 30s, officials revealed.

Typically, missing person cases, particularly those involving women, are immediately reported to higher authorities, often even the Jeju police chief, due to the potential involvement of criminal activity, police officials explained. However, the officer in question is reported to have neglected to inform his superiors about the missing person case he later closed without verifying the victim's safety.

Following the discovery of the victim's body on Monday at a tree farm near her residence on the island, the officer was placed under formal arrest earlier this week. Additionally, the officer is suspected of deleting the victim's data from the missing persons profile list and inserting false information that she had died, police sources stated.