Cause of death unknown for missing woman found dead on Jeju: police

A missing woman, whose identity is Jang, was discovered dead on Jeju Island on Monday due to body decomposition, a senior police official disclosed on Monday. The body was found at a palm tree farm near the accommodation facility where she had stayed, months after she was reported missing by her boyfriend in May. The case has attracted significant attention following allegations that a police officer closed the case prematurely without confirming her safety.

The officer reportedly deceived the boyfriend, claiming he had spoken with her and was not permitted to disclose her whereabouts. The cause of death remains a mystery because of the decomposition of her body, according to Hong Seok-ki, head of the National Office of Investigation, during a press conference. The investigators are examining all potential scenarios with an open mind.

Earlier, the investigators had played down the possibility of foul play, citing initial autopsy results that indicated the victim had died by hanging. Hong admitted to flaws in the police's response, expressing a profound sense of remorse.