The allegations surrounding the false closure of missing-person cases in Jeju have expanded beyond the individual officer’s handling of the cases to a review of the police system for managing and supervising missing-person reports. Lieutenant Bu, of the Jeju Western Police Station, is accused of falsely closing the case involving Ms. Jang Mi-ran and the case of a man in his 60s by recording them as if contact had been established. On August 25, 2026, the Jeju District Court ordered his detention, citing concerns that he might flee or destroy evidence.
Confirmed Allegations of False Case Closure
After receiving Ms. Jang Mi-ran’s missing-person report on May 15, 2026, Lieutenant Bu allegedly recorded within about two and a half hours that contact had been made and entered “death in a traffic accident” as the reason in the electronic system. He is also accused of falsely closing the missing-person case of a man in his 60s, reported on July 2, 2026, by recording it as if contact had been established.
Ms. Jang Mi-ran was found dead on August 24, 104 days after the initial report, in a palm grove about 400–500 meters from her residence in Hallim-eup, Jeju City. The missing man in his 60s was also found dead on August 22, 51 days after the initial report, in Gujwa-eup, Jeju City.
What has currently been confirmed is the allegation that missing-person reports were falsely closed and the status of the resulting investigation. The motive and any connection to other cases have not been established.
Evidence of Phone-Location Queries During the Ressearch
A ressearch operation began after Ms. Jang’s family filed a new report, and Lieutenant Bu was also included among the search personnel. On July 20–21, the Jeju Provincial Police Agency and the Jeju Western Police Station queried the location of Ms. Jang’s phone 16 times in total; Lieutenant Bu personally made four of those queries.
However, reports indicate that the phone had been powered off for a long time, so its actual location could not be confirmed through the queries. This evidence is now being examined as an issue concerning the procedures in which the officer in charge participated during the ressearch.
How Far Has the Investigation Progressed?
The Jeju Provincial Police Agency is conducting a full review of the 298 missing-person reports handled by Lieutenant Bu in the missing-persons team since March 2025. On August 28, the agency said that Lieutenant Bu admitted to some of the allegations of false closure after investigators presented evidence including call records.
At the same time, the National Office of Investigation of the Korean National Police Agency decided to review approximately 310,000 missing-person cases closed nationwide over the past three years. A procedure requiring managerial confirmation and final approval when a missing-person case is cleared will also be introduced.
| Category | Confirmed details |
|---|---|
| Review of Jeju officer’s cases | 298 cases handled since March 2025 |
| Nationwide review | Approximately 310,000 cases closed over the past three years |
| System improvement | Managerial confirmation and final approval when a missing-person case is cleared |
Government and Political Responses
President Lee Jae-myung mentioned the Jeju missing-person case at a Cabinet meeting on August 25 and asked the Prime Minister’s Office to review measures to overhaul the police system and consider an organization for police reform. Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, said on August 28 that he planned to visit the scene and the Jeju Provincial Police Agency.
Professor Lee Soo-jung of Kyonggi University questioned the police view that Ms. Jang had been sitting in the palm grove when she died, saying to the effect that such a presumption could be insulting to the deceased. The exact cause of Ms. Jang’s death and Lieutenant Bu’s motive for the alleged false closure remain under investigation.
Key Points for Readers
- The cases currently identified as involving alleged false closure are Ms. Jang Mi-ran’s case and the missing-person case of a man in his 60s.
- Lieutenant Bu is being detained and investigated, and police announced that he admitted to some of the allegations on August 28.
- Jeju is reviewing 298 cases, while approximately 310,000 missing-person cases closed nationwide over the past three years are also being examined.
- It is not yet appropriate to conclude that additional cases of false closure have already been confirmed.
Sources and verification dates: [News1 report on the ressearch and location queries](https://v.daum.net/v/20260827163837738) (verified August 28, 2026), [News1 comprehensive report](https://www.news1.kr/amp/local/jeju/6266855) (verified August 28, 2026), [Jeju CBS report on the arrest warrant](https://jeju.nocutnews.co.kr/news/6568027) (verified August 28, 2026), [Newsis report on the partial admission of allegations](https://www.newsis.com/view/NISX20260828_0003766826) (verified August 28, 2026), [Republic of Korea Policy Briefing record of the Cabinet meeting](https://www.korea.kr/news/policyNewsView.do?newsId=148970586&pWise=main&pWiseMain=R2) (verified August 28, 2026), [Edaily report on Professor Lee Soo-jung’s remarks](https://www1.edaily.co.kr/News/Read?mediaCodeNo=257&newsId=04201686645551584) (verified August 28, 2026)