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South Korea

4 Bodies Found on Korean Island Amid Scandal

Discovery of missing persons' remains on Jeju Island within three days sparks investigation into officer who allegedly closed cases without verifying victims were alive

Four Bodies Found on South Korean Island - Police Misconduct Suspected

The discovery of four bodies on South Korea's Jeju Island within a span of just three days has triggered widespread speculation and exposed what authorities now describe as a serious case of police negligence.

Jeju, South Korea's largest island located approximately 85 kilometers south of the Korean peninsula, is known as one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Often called the "Hawaii of Korea," the island is celebrated for its volcanic landscapes, pristine beaches, and temperate climate.

The first body, belonging to a man in his 60s, was recovered after he had been missing for 51 days. The following day, authorities found the body of another missing person, a man in his 70s, in waters off the island's coast. Two days later, two more bodies were discovered, including that of 37-year-old Jang Mi-ran, who had been missing since May.

At the center of the controversy is a police officer identified in local media by his surname, Boo. He had handled the cases of both the man in his 60s and Jang. According to the allegations, the officer closed their missing persons files after claiming he had verified they were alive, when in fact he had not conducted such verification.

The son of one of the deceased expressed his anguish to reporters: "We trusted the police when they said my father was safe and we waited, but after 51 days, what came back to us was his body."

Authorities are now reviewing all 298 cases handled by the officer in question, with ten already under examination for suspected improper closure. Four additional officers have been placed on administrative leave. South Korea's president has ordered comprehensive police reform in response to the scandal. A senior police official issued a public apology, stating: "I apologize to the public, and we will change the system so that such a case does not happen again."

Despite online rumors suggesting a serial killer or human trafficking network, investigators have found no evidence linking the deaths or indicating foul play. Causes of death have not yet been determined in all cases. The BBC's Seoul correspondent cautioned against speculation, describing the affair as appearing "more like a case of police incompetence and laziness" than criminal activity.

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