Yoon Ho-jung, the Minister of the Interior and Safety, convened an emergency meeting of police leadership on August 26, directing a thorough investigation into the missing persons cases in Jeju and a comprehensive review of police operations.
This meeting is considered unusual, reflecting the government's serious recognition of the current state of the police and its commitment to significant reforms.
The meeting was organized in response to growing public anxiety regarding the missing persons cases in Jeju. All senior officials from the National Police Agency, including Acting Commissioner Yoo Jae-sung, attended.
During the meeting, Yoon stated, “Just after the Gwangju police corruption incident, we are faced with another case of police misconduct, causing great anxiety in our society,” and he promised measures to prevent recurrence.
Regarding the Jeju cases, he instructed a thorough investigation and a review of the police's missing persons protocols. He called for a comprehensive examination of long-term missing persons cases at all police stations nationwide, emphasizing that any misconduct or inappropriate practices must be met with strict accountability.
Yoon directed all police leadership to conduct a thorough review of their respective responsibilities and to propose improvements if structural issues similar to those revealed in this case are identified.
During the agenda report, the National Police Agency presented plans for improving missing persons investigations and reforming police response systems. The proposed improvements include enhancements to missing persons investigation teams and systems, as well as reforms in the recruitment of new police officers.
The reform proposals aim to strengthen the effectiveness of the National Police Commission and establish human rights and oversight bodies for police investigations, addressing public concerns about the concealment of cases.
In conclusion, Yoon remarked, “The public's anxiety regarding the Jeju cases and the decline in trust in the police have reached a dangerous level. The measures reported today and the directives issued must be implemented promptly. With the new criminal justice system set to launch in October, we must ensure that protecting our own is not tolerated in order to restore public trust.”
Previously, it was revealed that a police officer handling a missing persons case in Jeju falsely claimed to have contacted the missing individual and improperly closed the case. The missing 60-year-old man was found dead on August 22, and the body of 37-year-old Jang Mi-ran, who had been missing since May, was discovered on August 24, 104 days after her disappearance.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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