South Korea Police Re-examine 310K Missing Cases Amid Scandal

South Korean police are undertaking a sweeping review of roughly 310,000 missing persons cases that were closed over the past three years. This action was prompted by a significant scandal involving a police officer's arrest on charges of falsifying records. The officer allegedly closed cases for two individuals who were subsequently discovered deceased, sparking national outrage.

President Lee Jae Myung has ordered a thorough investigation into the police's handling of missing persons cases and has called for a reform plan. The interior minister has apologized, acknowledging a structural flaw in current procedures. Last year alone, over 70,000 people were reported missing, with a vast majority of cases closed without a full search, and 931 were found dead.

South Korean law currently designates only children, autistic individuals, and those with dementia or mental disabilities as formally missing. This status grants police access to crucial tools like location data and emergency alerts. Other adults are classified as runaways, lacking automatic access to these resources. The arrested officer, from Jeju Western police station, is accused of improperly closing cases on a 37-year-old woman and an elderly man, both of whom were later found dead.

These cases have reignited debate over search powers for missing adults, with numerous legislative attempts failing in the past decade. Critics raise concerns about potential misuse of expanded police tracking powers, citing risks of exploitation by creditors and abusers. The review is expected to conclude by November, with improperly handled cases potentially being reopened.