A police officer in Jeju, identified as Officer A, was released after a court ruling on his detention, following his emergency arrest for allegedly falsely concluding the missing person case of Jang Mi-ran. A video showing the family of Jang confronting Officer A has surfaced, intensifying public outrage.
The video, shared widely on various online platforms and social media on August 24, depicts Officer A, restrained and wearing a blue shirt, being confronted aggressively by a family member of Jang. As reporters questioned Officer A about the discovery of Jang's body, asking if he had any words for the family or if he felt remorse, he remained silent.
Reactions from netizens were swift and emotional, with many expressing anger over the officer's release amid the ongoing investigation. One user commented on the family's confrontation, stating, "If it were me, I would have hit him with my car," while another noted the irony of the body being found immediately after the investigation was resumed, criticizing the initial police response.
Criticism of the police investigation and public safety system also emerged. One user questioned, "How can you tell the public to trust the police in situations like this?" Another remarked, "My home fan seems to work better than the police in this country," mocking the police's handling of the case.
Frustration with the government and political leaders was evident as well. One user called for the abolition of supplementary investigation rights, stating, "Is this the state of our country? A change in government is urgent," while another expressed uncertainty about how much further the country could deteriorate.
Expressions of sympathy and anger towards the family continued, with one user stating, "Parents who have lost a child are already living in hell; they should show these officers hell too." The anger from Jang's family grew after the court's decision to release Officer A, especially after police confirmed that items belonging to Jang, including clothing and a phone, were found at the scene where her body was discovered. However, the acting police chief stated in a parliamentary session that the identification process was still ongoing and that there were no signs of foul play at this time.
Jang Mi-ran had been missing for over three months since her disappearance in May. Officer A is under investigation for allegedly closing Jang's missing person report falsely and deleting related data from the missing person management system. He is also suspected of similarly mishandling another missing person case involving a man in his sixties, whose body was discovered on August 22, leading to Officer A's emergency arrest that same day.
On August 23, the day after his arrest, Officer A requested a review of his detention at the Jeju District Court. This review process allows individuals to contest the legality of their arrest. The court accepted his request on August 24, determining that the conditions for an emergency arrest had not been met, as the suspect's whereabouts were known, and there was sufficient time to obtain a warrant.
This decision does not imply that Officer A is innocent; the court's focus was on the legality of the emergency arrest procedure. The investigation into the allegations of falsely concluding Jang's missing person case will continue.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.