Four missing people have been found dead on the South Korean holiday island of Jeju. The discoveries come as local police face increasing public criticism for allegedly mishandling missing persons cases.
A police sergeant, surnamed Bu, has been arrested. He is accused of lying to victims' families and prematurely closing cases. Four officers in his chain of command have been placed on administrative leave.
Since Saturday, police have located four bodies on the island. These include 37-year-old Jang Mi-ran, who had been missing since May, and a man in his 60s from Jeju City who went missing on June 28. Sergeant Bu is suspected of closing Ms Jang's case prematurely and reportedly told the man's family he was found safe but did not wish to disclose his location.
Police are now examining nearly 300 missing persons reports that Sergeant Bu had handled. On Tuesday, President Lee Jae Myung ordered a sweeping reform of the police force, stating that "the recent breakdown in police discipline and irresponsibility in public safety matters have become serious problems."