Jeju Seobu Police Station Sergeant Bu, 34, who is suspected of falsely closing a missing-person report, was sent to prosecutors on the 1st.
On the afternoon of the same day, Bu's custody was transferred, and Bu left Jeju Dongbu Police Station. Wearing a black cap and a mask that covered the face, Bu walked out of the station.
While moving to the transport vehicle, Bu was asked by reporters questions such as "Do you have anything to say to the bereaved family?" but did not answer.
Bu is suspected of falsely closing missing-person reports, saying contact had been made, including a woman in her 30s surnamed Jang in May this year and a man in his 60s identified as A in July. Bu is also suspected of deleting related materials from the missing-person profiling system. Both Jang and A were found dead last month.
Jeju Provincial Police Agency said that although Bu initially denied the crime or refused to testify, Bu admitted to the related suspicions when presented with evidence. Bu told police, "I thought complacently because the missing person was an ordinary adult," and "I falsely closed the case due to the burden of handing over the case because there is a lot to take care of if it remains unresolved."
Police said they would continue a full review of the missing-person cases Bu closed even after referring Bu to prosecutors. From March last year to July this year, Bu worked on the missing-person team at Jeju Seobu Police Station and closed 298 cases. Police suspect 25 of them were falsely closed.