The family of a woman in her 30s surnamed Jang, who was found dead in Jeju about three months after a false closure of her missing-person report, called for the dismissal of the officer in charge and said they would consider filing a government compensation lawsuit.
On the afternoon of Sept. 4, A, Jang's older brother, and attorney Kim Min-ho of LKB Pyeongsan held a press conference in front of the Jeju Provincial Police Agency and said, "We demand the dismissal of Sergeant Bu."
They said, "Sergeant Bu gravely neglected duties that should rightly be performed by a police officer," and argued, "By falsely closing a missing-person case in which the golden time is life, the police officer abandoned the most basic and essential duty to protect the lives of the public."
They also expressed strong distrust of the police investigation process.
The family said, "At the initial stage of the case, the police hastily announced a result that Jang's cause of death was presumed to be suicide without proper grounds. It is just like Sergeant Bu, who ignored the case and falsely closed it," and criticized, "We have already lost trust in the police organization."
They added, "We are not asking you to conclude it as homicide unconditionally," and urged, "Whatever the result, do not turn away from us, the family, and show a responsible and sincere investigation so we can accept the findings."
The family demanded clear manuals and guidelines for handling missing-person cases to prevent similar incidents from recurring. They also said they are considering seeking damages against Sergeant Bu and the state.
They said, "We have been frustrated, despaired, and discouraged by the unbelievable reality that has unfolded so far," and emphasized, "From now on, we will not be sidelined from the case; we will confront it actively and speak out about our views and position."
A said that day, "From the first report about my younger sister in May until now, our family has kept waiting," and added, "We only hope the investigation result will be favorable. We hope the case will be clearly revealed."
Before the press conference, the family visited a palm grove in Hallim-eup, Jeju City, where Jang's body was found. They then moved to the Jeju District Prosecutors' Office and received an explanation from the prosecutor in charge about the future investigation plan and scope.
On May 15, Sergeant Bu received the missing-person report for Jang, and on July 2, the missing-person report for a person in their 60s surnamed B, but was sent to detention on charges of falsely closing each case.
In the internal police missing-person management system, he is also accused of processing Jang and B as "traffic accident casualties" and "whereabouts found," respectively, thereby hindering other officers' missing-person management work.