Eco · Climate policy · published 2026-08-28 · via The Guardian

South Korea launches review of 310,000 closed missing-person files amid police fraud case

South Korean police are to review roughly 310,000 missing-person cases closed in the last three years following an officer's arrest for allegedly falsifying records. The scandal has prompted a presidential investigation and an apology from the interior minister, who acknowledged structural flaws. The review comes amid criticism that most missing adults are classified as runaways, limiting police tools.

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The scandal centers on an officer at Jeju Western police station who allegedly closed cases without proper verification. In one instance, a woman's file was shut roughly two and a half hours after her partner reported her missing, with the officer claiming she had been contacted and wished to remain undisclosed—though no call record exists. Her remains were discovered 104 days later.

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This summary is Al-enhanced to contain extended analysis and broader social context. The original is {NAME); the linked article is the authoritative source. Original headline: “South Korea to re-examine 310,000 missing person cases after fake record scandal.” Browse more stories.