SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for greater police accountability after public outrage over the handling of a series of missing-person cases on Jeju island, as reforms are set to give the force a bigger role in criminal investigations.
\n\n“Police are likely to wield the greatest power among state institutions,” Lee told a cabinet meeting Tuesday, adding that the public questioned whether the force could bear the responsibility.
\n\n“Responsibility must be strengthened in proportion to the size of the authority.”
\n\nFour people reported missing on Jeju were found dead over three days through Monday, authorities said.
\n\nThe cases were unrelated, but two had allegedly been closed by the same officer without confirmation that the missing people were safe.
\n\nThe allegations have prompted police to review all 298 missing-person reports handled by the officer. About 10 are being examined for possible improper closure, media reported.
\n\nOne case involved Jang Mi-ran, a 37-year-old woman whose disappearance became a national controversy after police allegedly closed the case without confirming her safety. Her body was found on Monday, 104 days after she vanished.
\n\nThe other involved a man in his 60s whose family reported him missing again, prompting a…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business