Last year, the number of reports of missing persons under the age of 18, disabled individuals, and dementia patients reached 48,872. Among these, reports of missing children under the age of 18 accounted for more than half at 52% (25,692 cases).
The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korean National Police Agency noted on the 29th that they submitted the "2024 Annual Report on Missing Children and Others" to the National Assembly.
This report is published for the first time. It is based on the missing children law, which mandates that relevant information be prepared and submitted to the National Assembly's standing committee before each regular session. The report includes individuals under 18, individuals of all ages with intellectual, autistic, or mental disabilities, and dementia patients of all ages.
According to last year's statistics, a total of 49,624 reports of missing persons were made. Among them, there were 25,692 children, 8,430 disabled individuals, and 15,502 dementia patients.
However, the total number received last year was 48,872. Of these, 48,751 individuals were found, while 121 are still missing. Among the missing individuals, there are 64 children, 41 disabled individuals, and 16 dementia patients. The missing rate among the missing persons is 0.25%. Among children, it is 0.25%; among disabled individuals, it is 0.49%; and among dementia patients, it is 0.1%.
Yoon Soo-hyun, head of the Child Abuse Response Division at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, "With the publication of the annual report on missing children, we will review the systems for preventing and supporting the return of missing children to realize the intent of the law. We will also consider establishing professional support systems for individuals with intellectual, autistic, or mental disabilities, who have a relatively high missing rate."
Joo Seung-eun, head of the Youth Protection Division at the Korean National Police Agency, said, "We will continuously identify and improve weaknesses to ensure the swift discovery and protection of missing persons."