Archive · 26 Aug 2026
South Korea’s Lee Demands Police Accountability After Jeju Missing Cases
South Korea’s president wants police officers to be more responsible when they use their authority.
This happened after four missing people on Jeju island were found dead.
Two of the cases were allegedly closed before police confirmed the people were safe.
One officer handled all 298 reports now being reviewed.
About 10 reports may have been closed improperly.
A court detained the officer, who denied the accusations.
Police apologized and said supervisors must now approve missing-person case closures.
The issue is especially important because police will soon receive a larger role in criminal investigations.
President Lee Jae Myung called for stronger police accountability after four missing people were found dead on Jeju.
Two cases were allegedly closed by the same officer without confirming the people were safe.
Police are reviewing all 298 missing-person reports handled by the officer, including about 10 for possible improper closure.
A court detained the officer on suspicion of dereliction of duty, falsifying records and obstructing official duties; the officer denied the charges.
The controversy comes as reforms are set to give police greater investigative powers after prosecutors lost their remaining investigative authority.
- Who
- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, the South Korean police and an officer involved in the Jeju cases.
- What
- Lee called for greater police accountability after alleged mishandling of missing-person reports; four missing people were found dead.
- When
- Lee made the remarks on Tuesday, Aug. 26; the four bodies were found over three days through Monday.
- Where
- Jeju island, South Korea.
- Why
- Public outrage followed allegations that missing-person cases were closed without confirming the people’s safety, while reforms are expanding police investigative powers.
Police-power reform proponents
Accountability critics
Expanding investigative authority
Police-power reform proponents
The ruling Democratic Party said prosecutors’ remaining investigative powers should be removed because of a history of abuse, giving police a larger role from October.
Accountability critics
Critics point to the Jeju cases as evidence that expanding police authority must be matched by stronger oversight and responsibility.
Handling missing-person closures
Police-power reform proponents
Police have ordered supervisory sign-off on case closures and said they will review the entire system and all cases handled by the officer.
Accountability critics
The alleged closure of cases without confirming people were safe has fueled public criticism and safety concerns.
- Missing people found dead
- Four people reported missing on Jeju were found dead over three days through Monday.
- Reports under review
- Police are reviewing all 298 missing-person reports handled by the officer.
- Potentially improper closures
- About 10 of the officer’s cases are being examined for possible improper closure.
- Detention allegations
- The officer was detained on suspicion of dereliction of duty, falsifying official electronic records and obstructing official duties.
- Officer’s response
- The officer denied the charges and said he contacted the missing people, according to a police official cited by Yonhap.
- Police response
- Acting National Police Commissioner Yoo Jae-seong apologized and promised institutional improvements.
- Missing-person reports
- South Korean police received 70,814 reports of missing adults last year.