Jeju Island bodies trigger South Korea police review

South Korean police have found the bodies of four people reported missing on Jeju Island, prompting scrutiny of how local police handled missing persons cases.

The bodies were found over three days through Monday on the resort island, which draws more than 13 million domestic and foreign visitors each year.

The cases appear unrelated, but two were reportedly closed by the same officer. One involved 37-year-old Jang Mi-ran, whose body was found Monday after her boyfriend reported her missing in May. The other involved a missing man in his 60s.

Authorities on Tuesday detained an investigator surnamed Bu, accusing him of falsifying records and neglecting his duties. Bu allegedly closed Jang's case by falsely recording her death as a “traffic accident casualty”. He had reportedly told Jang's family that he had made contact with her and that she was safe but did not wish to be found.

Detective Jung Tae-won said Wednesday that the arrest warrant was issued because of concerns about flight risk and evidence tampering. He said the government had launched a task force to “swiftly examine all missing cases” handled by Bu.

President Lee Jae Myung ordered a probe into the handling of Jang's case and instructed his cabinet to present a reform plan for the police force. Lee said at a cabinet meeting Tuesday that “serious concerns” had emerged over discipline within the police and responsibility for public safety.

Police have also launched a review of all missing persons cases closed over the past three years, about 310,000 cases, Yonhap news agency reported Wednesday.