Jeju Police Officer Dismissed for Falsely Reporting Contact with Missing Persons

A Jeju police officer who fabricated false reports claiming he had spoken with missing persons in order to close their cases has been dismissed from the force.

According to police and other sources on the 11th, the Jeju Western Police Station recently held a disciplinary committee and decided to impose dismissal—the highest level of discipline for police officials—on Sergeant Boo, 34, formerly of the missing persons investigation team. Boo, who is currently in detention, submitted his opinion in writing, and the committee made the final decision to dismiss him based on that submission.

Dismissal is the most severe punishment in the police disciplinary framework, and it takes effect immediately upon written notification. If Boo objects to the decision, he may file a petition with the Review Committee for Personnel Requests.

Boo is accused of failing to take necessary search measures after receiving missing persons reports on May 15 for Jang Mo, a woman in her 30s, and on July 2 for Park Mo, a man in his 60s. He allegedly entered false information into the 112 emergency reporting system and the missing children profiling system, pretending to have been in direct contact with the missing persons, in order to close the cases. He is also confirmed to have submitted false reports to his superiors claiming direct communication, without conducting any substantive investigation.

While Boo neglected the cases, Jang and Park were found dead 104 days and 52 days after going missing, respectively. The Jeju Provincial Police Agency conducted a full review of the 298 cases Boo handled on the missing persons team from March of last year to July of this year, uncovering 25 additional cases that had been improperly handled, including false case closures.

The Jeju District Prosecutors' Office indicted Boo in custody on the 18th of last month on charges of forgery of electromagnetic records, fabrication and use of false official documents, and dereliction of duty. Boo's first trial hearing is scheduled for the 14th at the Jeju District Court.